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Direct Hydrogen Evolution from Saline Water Reduction at Neutral pH using Organic Photocathodes
Author(s) -
Haro Marta,
Solis Claudia,
BlasFerrando Vicente M.,
Margeat Olivier,
Dhkil Sadok Ben,
VidelotAckermann Christine,
Ackermann Jörg,
Di Fonzo Fabio,
Guerrero Antonio,
Gimenez Sixto
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201600961
Subject(s) - faraday efficiency , photocathode , photocurrent , reversible hydrogen electrode , chemistry , water splitting , hydrogen , inorganic chemistry , electrode , electrochemistry , materials science , photocatalysis , catalysis , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , reference electrode , physics , quantum mechanics , electron
Here, we have developed an organic photocathode for water reduction to H 2 , delivering more than 1 mA cm −2 at 0 V versus RHE and above 3 mA cm −2 at −0.5 V versus RHE with moderate stability under neutral pH conditions. The initial competitive reduction of water to H 2 and ZnO to metallic Zn is responsible for the dynamic behaviour of both photocurrent and Faradaic efficiency of the device, which reaches 100 % Faradaic efficiency after 90 min operation. In any case, outstanding stable H 2 flow of approximately 2 μmol h −1 is measured over 1 h at 0 V versus RHE and at neutral pH, after equilibrium between the Zn 2+ /Zn 0 concentration in the AZO film is reached. This achievement opens new avenues for the development of allsolution‐processed organic photoelectrochemical cells for the solar generation of H 2 from sea water.