Dye-sensitized photoanode decorated with pyridine additives for efficient solar water oxidation

• Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC) is a promising approach to solar fuels production. In this study, a series of pyridine derivatives as surface additives were modified on a molecular chromophore and water oxidation catalyst co-loaded TiO2 photoanode, TiO2 vertical bar RuP, 1 (RuP = Ru(4,4'-(PO3H2)(2)-2,2'-bipyridine)(2,2'-bipyridine)2, 1 = Ru(bda)(L)(2), (bda = 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate, L = 10-(pyridin-4-yloxy)decyl)phosphonic acid). The addition of pyridine additives was found to result in up to 42% increase in photocurrent. Under simulated sun-light irradiation, TiO2 vertical bar RuP, 1, P-1 (P-1 = 4-Hydroxypyridine) produced a photo-current density of 1 mA/cm(2) at a bias of 0.4 V vs. NHE in acetate buffer. Moreover, the observed photocurrents are correlated with the electron-donating ability of the substituent groups on pyridine ring. Transient absorption measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that surface-bound pyridine can effectively retard the back-electron transfer from the TiO2 conduction band to the oxidized dye, which is a major process responsible for energy loss in DSPECs.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Dye-sensitized

photoelectrochemical cell

Water splitting

Photoanode

Surface modification

Pyridine derivatives

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