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Optimization of Photoanodes for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation by Combining a Heterogenized Iridium Water‐Oxidation Catalyst with a High‐Potential Porphyrin Photosensitizer
Author(s) -
Materna Kelly L.,
Jiang Jianbing,
Regan Kevin P.,
Schmuttenmaer Charles A.,
Crabtree Robert H.,
Brudvig Gary W.
Publication year - 2017
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.201701693
Subject(s) - catalysis , porphyrin , photocatalysis , iridium , photosensitizer , water splitting , chemistry , photochemistry , artificial photosynthesis , electrochemistry , inorganic chemistry , chemical engineering , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering
The development of water‐splitting dye‐sensitized photoelectrochemical cells has gained interest owing to their ability to generate renewable fuels from solar energy. In this study, photoanodes were assembled from a SnO 2 film sensitized with a combination of a high‐potential CF 3 ‐substituted porphyrin dye with a tetrahydropyranyl‐protected hydroxamic acid surface‐anchoring group and a Cp*Ir (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) water‐oxidation catalyst containing a silatrane anchoring group. The dye/catalyst ratios were varied from 2:1 to 32:1 to optimize the photocatalytic water oxidation. Photoelectrochemical measurements showed not only more stable and reproducible photocurrents for lower dye/catalyst ratios but also improved photostability. O 2 production was confirmed in real time over a 20 h period with a Clark electrode. Photoanodes prepared from 2:1 and 8:1 dye/catalyst sensitization solutions provided the most active electrodes for photocatalytic water oxidation and performed approximately 30–35 turnovers in 20 h.