Open AccessA Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Tandem Cell for Light Driven Hydrogen Production from Water
Author(s) -
Benjamin D. Sherman,
Matthew V. Sheridan,
Kyung Ryang Wee,
Seth L. Marquard,
Degao Wang,
Leila Alibabaei,
Dennis L. Ashford,
Thomas J. Meyer
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the american chemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.115
H-Index - 612
eISSN - 1520-5126
pISSN - 0002-7863
DOI - 10.1021/jacs.6b10699
Subject(s) - ruthenium , tandem , chemistry , photoelectrochemical cell , chromophore , photochemistry , water splitting , dye sensitized solar cell , redox , hydrogen production , bipyridine , tris , solar cell , catalysis , photocatalysis , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , electrode , optoelectronics , materials science , organic chemistry , engineering , biochemistry , crystal structure , electrolyte , composite material
Tandem junction photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices, whereby two light absorbing electrodes targeting separate portions of the solar spectrum generate the voltage required to convert water to oxygen and hydrogen, enable much higher possible efficiencies than single absorber systems. We report here on the development of a tandem system consisting of a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC) wired in series with a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). The DSPEC photoanode incorporates a tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-type chromophore and molecular ruthenium based water oxidation catalyst. The DSPEC was tested with two more-red absorbing DSC variations, one utilizing N719 dye with an I 3 - /I - redox mediator solution and the other D35 dye with a tris(bipyridine)cobalt ([Co(bpy) 3 ] 3+/2+ ) based mediator. The tandem configuration consisting of the DSPEC and D35/[Co(bpy) 3 ] 3+/2+ based DSC gave the best overall performance and demonstrated the production of H 2 from H 2 O with the only energy input from simulated solar illumination.