ja404525e_si_001.pdf (6.07 MB)
Photostable p‑Type Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Reduction
journal contribution
posted on 2016-02-19, 01:03 authored by Zhiqiang Ji, Mingfu He, Zhongjie Huang, Umit Ozkan, Yiying WuA photostable
p-type NiO photocathode based on a bifunctional cyclometalated ruthenium
sensitizer and a cobaloxime catalyst has been created for visible-light-driven
water reduction to produce H2. The sensitizer is anchored
firmly on the surface of NiO, and the binding is resistant to the
hydrolytic cleavage. The bifunctional sensitizer can also immobilize
the water reduction catalyst. The resultant photoelectrode exhibits
superior stability in aqueous solutions. Stable photocurrents have
been observed over a period of hours. This finding is useful for addressing
the degradation issue in dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells
caused by desorption of dyes and catalysts. The high stability of
our photocathodes should be important for the practical application
of these devices for solar fuel production.