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A Functional Hydrogenase Mimic Chemisorbed onto Fluorine‐Doped Tin Oxide Electrodes: A Strategy towards Water Splitting Devices
Author(s) -
Zaffaroni Riccardo,
Detz Remko J.,
van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar,
Reek Joost N. H.
Publication year - 2018
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.201701757
Subject(s) - overpotential , tin oxide , water splitting , faraday efficiency , catalysis , materials science , inorganic chemistry , electrode , reversible hydrogen electrode , electrochemistry , chemical engineering , electrocatalyst , oxide , tin , chemistry , working electrode , organic chemistry , photocatalysis , engineering , metallurgy
A diiron benzenedithiolate hydrogen‐evolving catalyst immobilized onto fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes is prepared, characterized, and studied in the context of the development of water splitting devices based on molecular components. FTO was chosen as the preferred electrode material owing to its conductive properties and electrochemical stability. An FTO nanocrystalline layer is also used to greatly improve the surface area of commercially available FTO while preserving the properties of the material. Electrodes bearing a covalently anchored diiron catalyst are shown to be competent for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from acidic aqueous media at relatively low overpotential (500 mV) with a faradaic efficiency close to unity. Compared with bulk solution catalysts, the catalyst immobilized onto the electrode surface operates at roughly 160 mV lower overpotentials, yet with similar rates.