Photogeneration of hydrogen from water by a robust dye-sensitized photocathode

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Energy & Environmental Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C6EE02903E· OSTI ID:1339867

Shan, B.; Das, A. K.; Marquard, S.; Farnum, B. H.; Wang, D.; Bullock, R. M.; Meyer, T. J.

We report here on a novel photocathode with a “donor-dye-catalyst” assembly structure for water reduction. The photoelectrocatalytic performance of the photocathode under mild conditions, with a photocurrent of -56 μA/cm2 and a Faradaic yield of 53%, is superior relative to other reported photocathodes with surface attached molecular catalysts. Detailed electron transfer analyses, based on transient absorption measurements, show that the successful application of this photocathode originates mainly from the slow back electron transfer following light excitation. The results also demonstrate that addition of the long-chain assembly to the macro-mesoporous electrode surface plays a fundamental role in providing sufficient catalyst for water reduction.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1339867
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-121910; KC0307010
• Journal Information: Energy & Environmental Science, Journal Name: Energy & Environmental Science Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 9; ISSN EESNBY; ISSN 1754-5692
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
catalysis
hydrogen