Self-Assembled Bilayers on Indium–Tin Oxide (SAB-ITO) Electrodes: A Design for Chromophore–Catalyst Photoanodes

ITO Work Function Tunability by Polarizable Chromophore Monolayers

The ability to tune the electronic properties of oxide-bearing semiconductors such as Si/SiO₂ or transparent metal oxides such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) is of great importance in both electronic and optoelectronic device applications. In this work, we describe a process that was conducted on n-type Si/SiO₂ and ITO to induce changes in the substrate work function (WF). The substrates were modified by a two-step synthesis comprising a covalent attachment of coupling agents' monolayer followed by in situ anchoring reactions of polarizable chromophores. The coupling agents and chromophores were chosen with opposite dipole orientations, which enabled the tunability of the substrates' WF. In the first step, two coupling agents with opposite molecular dipole were assembled. The coupling agent with a negative dipole induced a decrease in WF of modified substrates, while the coupling agent with a positive dipole produced an increase in WFs of both ITO and Si substrates. The second modification step consisted of in situ anchoring reaction of polarizable chromophores with opposite dipoles to the coupling layer. This modification led to an additional change in the WFs of both Si/SiO₂ and ITO substrates. The WF was measured by contact potential difference and modeled by density functional theory-based theoretical calculations of the WF for each of the assembly steps. A good fit was obtained between the calculated and experimental trends. This ability to design and tune the WF of ITO substrates was implemented in an organic electronic device with improved I- V characteristics in comparison to a bare ITO-based device.

O–O bond formation in ruthenium-catalyzed water oxidation: single-site nucleophilic attack vs. O–O radical coupling

A review of water oxidation by ruthenium-based molecular catalysts, with emphasis on the mechanism of O–O bond formation.

Finding the Way to Solar Fuels with Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cells

The dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cell (DSPEC) integrates high bandgap, nanoparticle oxide semiconductors with the light-absorbing and catalytic properties of designed chromophore-catalyst assemblies. The goals are photoelectrochemical water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen and reduction of CO₂ by water to give oxygen and carbon-based fuels. Solar-driven water oxidation occurs at a photoanode and water or CO₂ reduction at a cathode or photocathode initiated by molecular-level light absorption. Light absorption is followed by electron or hole injection, catalyst activation, and catalytic water oxidation or water/CO₂ reduction. The DSPEC is of recent origin but significant progress has been made. It has the potential to play an important role in our energy future.

Assembling Supramolecular Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting

The method used to assemble dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical (DS-PEC) devices plays a vital role in determining its photoactivity and stability. We report a simple and effective method to assemble supramolecular DS-PECs introducing PMMA as support material and a catalyst modified with long carbon chains as photoanodes. The long carbon chains in combination with PMMA allow to better immobilize the catalyst. DS-PECs obtained by this simple method have display excellent photoactivities and stabilities. A photocurrent density of 1.1 mA cm(-2) and a maximum IPCE of 9.5 % have been obtained with a 0.2 V vs NHE external bias.

High-performance photoelectrochemical cells based on a binuclear ruthenium catalyst for visible-light-driven water oxidation

Two photoanodes based on a binuclear (2) and a mononuclear ruthenium (3) water oxidation catalysts were assembled in combination with a molecular photosensitizer (1) by using a co-adsorption method. The anodes were used in dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DS-PECs) for visible-light-driven water splitting. A DS-PEC device using TiO2 (1+2) as working electrode (WE) exhibits better performance than TiO2 (1+3) as WE in light-driven water splitting. Detailed photoelectrochemical studies on these DS-PEC devices are discussed.