Photo-rechargeable battery using new layer compound CuFeTe/sub 2/

Summary form only given. Photoelectrochemical(PEC) system using a junction of semiconductor electrode and electrolyte can convert photoenergy to electrochemical(EC) energy. If electrode can in-situ storage EC energy, it has two functions ; energy conversion and storage in a single material. Many studies have been made to realize this type of photo-rechargeable battery. However, no remarkable results have yet been reported, because it is difficult to research useful materials. Ternary transition metal dichalcogenide CuFeTe/sub 2/(CFT) synthesized firstly by us is a layered material having Van der Waals gap and p-type semiconductive property. We have previously observed that Li atoms intercalate into this compound, then at present we try its usefulness as an active elecrode in the photo-rechargeable battery. Experiments were carried out on CFT|LiCl0/sub 4/(acetonitrile) | Pt system under illumination of Xe lamp(500W) and photo-charging effect was observed. For 30 minutes illumination, photonic-charged energy density is estimated to be 0.562 Wh/kg from dark-discharging current.