1
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Tang K, Shao JY, Yan Y, Zhong YW. Photoelectrochemical Cells with a Pyridine-Anchored Bilayer Photoanode for Water Splitting. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:6244-6252. [PMID: 38482812 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
A dye-sensitized photoanode is prepared by coassembling a Ru complex photosensitizer and a Ru water oxidation catalyst (WOC) on a TiO2 substrate, in which the WOC molecules are immobilized in a layer-by-layer fashion through metal-pyridine coordination with the aid of a bifunctional anchoring and bridging molecule containing multiple pyridine groups. Under visible-light irradiation, an anodic photocurrent of around 200 μA/cm2 has been achieved with O2 and H2 being generated at the photoanode and Pt counter electrode, respectively. The pyridine anchoring strategy provides a simple method to prepare photoelectrodes for applications in photoelectrochemical cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiang-Yang Shao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yongli Yan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yu-Wu Zhong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Tang K, Shao JY, Zhong YW. A Multi-Pyridine-Anchored and -Linked Bilayer Photocathode for Water Reduction. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302663. [PMID: 37782056 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of efficient photocathodes is of critical importance for the constructions of promising tandem photo-electrochemical cells. Most known dye-sensitized photocathodes are prepared with the conventional carboxylic or phosphonic acid anchors and require the presence of other terminal linking groups to connect catalysts; they suffer from high synthetic difficulty and low adsorption stability in aqueous media. Here, a compact bilayer photocathode has been prepared by using a pyrene-based photosensitizer with multiple terminal pyridine moieties as both the anchoring and linking groups to connect a Co hydrogen-evolution catalyst to the NiO substrate. The catalyst and dye molecule are assembled in a layer-by-layer manner on NiO through the metal-pyridine coordination. This photocathode exhibits good dye adsorption stability in aqueous media. A stable cathodic photocurrent of 70 μA cm-2 was achieved, with H2 being generated at the photocathode under the visible-light irradiation. The Faraday efficiency of H2 evolution was estimated to be 9.1 %. Transient absorption spectral studies suggest that the interfacial hole transfer occurs within a few picoseconds. The integration of the organic photosensitizer with pyridine anchoring and linking groups is expected to provide a simple method for the fabrication of stable and efficient photocathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Photochemistry Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiang-Yang Shao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Photochemistry Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Wu Zhong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Photochemistry Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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3
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Liu B, Wang S, Zhang G, Gong Z, Wu B, Wang T, Gong J. Tandem cells for unbiased photoelectrochemical water splitting. Chem Soc Rev 2023. [PMID: 37325843 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00145h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen is an essential energy carrier which will address the challenges posed by the energy crisis and climate change. Photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC) is an important method for producing solar-powered hydrogen. The PEC tandem configuration harnesses sunlight as the exclusive energy source to drive both the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER), simultaneously. Therefore, PEC tandem cells have been developed and gained tremendous interest in recent decades. This review describes the current status of the development of tandem cells for unbiased photoelectrochemical water splitting. The basic principles and prerequisites for constructing PEC tandem cells are introduced first. We then review various single photoelectrodes for use in water reduction or oxidation, and highlight the current state-of-the-art discoveries. Second, a close look into recent developments of PEC tandem cells in water splitting is provided. Finally, a perspective on the key challenges and prospects for the development of tandem cells for unbiased PEC water splitting are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shujie Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
| | - Gong Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zichen Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tuo Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jinlong Gong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou 350207, China
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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4
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Wang J, Xue P, Jiang Y, Huo Y, Zhan X. The principles, design and applications of fused-ring electron acceptors. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:614-634. [PMID: 37117709 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) have a donor-acceptor-donor structure comprising an electron-donating fused-ring core, electron-accepting end groups, π-bridges and side chains. FREAs possess beneficial features, such as feasibility to tailor their structures, high property tunability, strong visible and near-infrared light absorption and excellent n-type semiconducting characteristics. FREAs have initiated a revolution to the field of organic solar cells in recent years. FREA-based organic solar cells have achieved unprecedented efficiencies, over 20%, which breaks the theoretical efficiency limit of traditional fullerene acceptors (~13%), and boast potential operational lifetimes approaching 10 years. Based on the original studies of FREAs, a variety of new structures, mechanisms and applications have flourished. In this Review, we introduce the fundamental principles of FREAs, including their structures and inherent electronic and physical properties. Next, we discuss the way in which the properties of FREAs can be modulated through variations to the electronic structure or molecular packing. We then present the current applications and consider the future areas that may benefit from developments in FREAs. Finally, we conclude with the position of FREA chemistry, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that may arise in the future of this burgeoning field.
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5
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Thangamuthu M, Ruan Q, Ohemeng PO, Luo B, Jing D, Godin R, Tang J. Polymer Photoelectrodes for Solar Fuel Production: Progress and Challenges. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11778-11829. [PMID: 35699661 PMCID: PMC9284560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Converting solar energy to fuels has attracted substantial interest over the past decades because it has the potential to sustainably meet the increasing global energy demand. However, achieving this potential requires significant technological advances. Polymer photoelectrodes are composed of earth-abundant elements, e.g. carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, which promise to be more economically sustainable than their inorganic counterparts. Furthermore, the electronic structure of polymer photoelectrodes can be more easily tuned to fit the solar spectrum than inorganic counterparts, promising a feasible practical application. As a fast-moving area, in particular, over the past ten years, we have witnessed an explosion of reports on polymer materials, including photoelectrodes, cocatalysts, device architectures, and fundamental understanding experimentally and theoretically, all of which have been detailed in this review. Furthermore, the prospects of this field are discussed to highlight the future development of polymer photoelectrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madasamy Thangamuthu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Qiushi Ruan
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast
University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Peter Osei Ohemeng
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British
Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Bing Luo
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
- International
Research Center for Renewable Energy & State Key Laboratory of
Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Dengwei Jing
- International
Research Center for Renewable Energy & State Key Laboratory of
Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Robert Godin
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of British
Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Junwang Tang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
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6
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Bruggeman DF, Laporte AAH, Detz RJ, Mathew S, Reek JNH. Aqueous Biphasic Dye‐Sensitized Photosynthesis Cells for TEMPO‐Based Oxidation of Glycerol. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200175. [PMID: 35266261 PMCID: PMC9401026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This work reports an aqueous dye‐sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC) capable of oxidizing glycerol (an archetypical biobased compound) coupled with H2 production. We employed a mesoporous TiO2 photoanode sensitized with the high potential thienopyrroledione‐based dye AP11, encased in an acetonitrile‐based redox‐gel that protects the photoanode from degradation by aqueous electrolytes. The use of the gel creates a biphasic system with an interface at the organic (gel) electrode and aqueous anolyte. Embedded in the acetonitrile gel is 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO), acting as both a redox‐mediator and a catalyst for oxidative transformations. Upon oxidation of TEMPO by the photoexcited dye, the in situ generated TEMPO+ shuttles through the gel to the acetonitrile–aqueous interface, where it acts as an oxidant for the selective conversion of glycerol to glyceraldehyde. The introduction of the redox‐gel layer affords a 10‐fold increase in the conversion of glycerol compared to the purely aqueous system. Our redox‐gel protected photoanode yielded a stable photocurrent over 48 hours of continuous operation, demonstrating that this DSPEC is compatible with alkaline aqueous reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didjay F. Bruggeman
- Homogeneous Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Annechien A. H. Laporte
- Homogeneous Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Remko J. Detz
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) Energy Transition Studies Radarweg 60 Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Simon Mathew
- Homogeneous Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Joost N. H. Reek
- Homogeneous Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
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7
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Wang J, Zhan X. From Perylene Diimide Polymers to
Fused‐Ring
Electron Acceptors: A
15‐Year
Exploration Journey of Nonfullerene Acceptors. CHINESE J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202200027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University Beijing 100871 China
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8
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Bruggeman DF, Laporte AAH, Detz RJ, Mathew S, Reek J. Aqueous Biphasic Dye‐sensitized Photosynthesis Cells for TEMPO‐based Oxidation of Glycerol. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Didjay F Bruggeman
- University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science: Universiteit van Amsterdam Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen Wiskunde en Informatica HIMS NETHERLANDS
| | - Annechien AH Laporte
- University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science: Universiteit van Amsterdam Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen Wiskunde en Informatica HIMS NETHERLANDS
| | | | - Simon Mathew
- University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science: Universiteit van Amsterdam Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen Wiskunde en Informatica HIMS NETHERLANDS
| | - Joost Reek
- van 't Hoff Institute for moleculer science supramolecular catalysis Postbus 94720 1090 GS Amsterdam NETHERLANDS
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9
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Xie C, Xiao C, Jiang X, Liang S, Liu C, Zhang Z, Chen Q, Li W. Miscibility-Controlled Mechanical and Photovoltaic Properties in Double-Cable Conjugated Polymer/Insulating Polymer Composites. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Xie
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Chengyi Xiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xudong Jiang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Shijie Liang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Chunhui Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Qiaomei Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
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10
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Muñoz-García AB, Benesperi I, Boschloo G, Concepcion JJ, Delcamp JH, Gibson EA, Meyer GJ, Pavone M, Pettersson H, Hagfeldt A, Freitag M. Dye-sensitized solar cells strike back. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12450-12550. [PMID: 34590638 PMCID: PMC8591630 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01336f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are celebrating their 30th birthday and they are attracting a wealth of research efforts aimed at unleashing their full potential. In recent years, DSCs and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have experienced a renaissance as the best technology for several niche applications that take advantage of DSCs' unique combination of properties: at low cost, they are composed of non-toxic materials, are colorful, transparent, and very efficient in low light conditions. This review summarizes the advancements in the field over the last decade, encompassing all aspects of the DSC technology: theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications as solar cells and as drivers for the synthesis of solar fuels, and commercialization efforts from various companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Muñoz-García
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Benesperi
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerrit Boschloo
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Javier J Concepcion
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - Jared H Delcamp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Gibson
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerald J Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anders Hagfeldt
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
- University Management and Management Council, Vice Chancellor, Uppsala University, Segerstedthuset, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marina Freitag
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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11
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Bruggeman DF, Mathew S, Detz RJ, Reek JNH. Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in dye-sensitised photoelectrochemical cells for alcohol oxidation coupled to dihydrogen formation. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS 2021; 5:5707-5716. [PMID: 34912969 PMCID: PMC8577521 DOI: 10.1039/d1se01275d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
This study examines two strategies-homo- and heterogeneous approaches for the light-driven oxidation of benzyl alcohol in dye-sensitised photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs). The DSPEC consists of a mesoporous anatase TiO2 film on FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide), sensitised with the thienopyrroledione-based dye AP11 as the photoanode and an FTO-Pt cathode combined with a redox-mediating catalyst. The homogeneous catalyst approach entails the addition of the soluble 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) to the DSPEC anolyte, while the heterogeneous strategy employs immobilisation of a TEMPO analogue with a silatrane anchor (S-TEMPO) onto the photoanode. Irradiation of the photoanode oxidises the TEMPO-moiety to TEMPO+, both in the homogeneous and the heterogeneous system, which is a chemical oxidant for benzyl alcohol oxidation. Photoanodes containing the heterogeneous S-TEMPO+ demonstrate decreased photocurrent, attributed to introducing alternative pathways for electron recombination. Moreover, the immobilised S-TEMPO demonstrates an insufficient ability to mediate electron transfer from the organic substrate to the photooxidised dye, resulting in device instability. In contrast, the homogeneous approach with TEMPO as a redox-mediating catalyst in the anolyte is efficient in the light-driven oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde over 32 hours, promoted by the efficient electron mediation of TEMPO between AP11 and the organic substrate. Our work demonstrates that operational limitations in DSPECs can be solved by rational device design using diffusion-mediated electron transfer steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Bruggeman
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - S Mathew
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - R J Detz
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) - Energy Transition Studies Radarweg 60 Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - J N H Reek
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
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12
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Xie C, Jiang X, Zhu Q, Wang D, Xiao C, Liu C, Ma W, Chen Q, Li W. Mechanical Robust Flexible Single-Component Organic Solar Cells. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2100481. [PMID: 34928045 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202100481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the advantages of being lightweight and compatible with surfaces with different deformations, flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) have broad scopes of applications, including wearable electronics and portable devices. Most flexible OSCs focus on the two-component bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) photo-active layers, but they usually suffer from degradation problems both in efficiency and mechanical durability derived from the limited phase stability under mechanical and thermal stress. Whereas, single-component organic solar cells (SCOSCs) based on the double-cable conjugated polymer are supposed to possess excellent mechanical robustness and long-term stability. Here, the first flexible SCOSCs based on a double-cable polymer are fabricated on a transparent silver nanowires (AgNWs) electrode on a plastic foil. Impressively, the obtained flexible SCOSCs exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.21%. The flexible SCOSCs are further demonstrated to possess superior mechanical robustness (>95% retention after 1000 bending cycles) and storage stability (>97% retention after 430 h in nitrogen atmosphere) compared to several BHJ-type flexible OSCs. The pseudo-free-standing tensile test and morphology investigation are conducted to reveal the distinction in mechanical durability of the single-component polymer film and the BHJ-type films. Besides, ultraflexible SCOSCs are also fabricated, indicating the application prospect and superiority in flexible devices and wearable electronic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Xie
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Xudong Jiang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Qinglian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Chengyi Xiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Chunhui Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Qiaomei Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
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13
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Sherman BD, McMillan NK, Willinger D, Leem G. Sustainable hydrogen production from water using tandem dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells. NANO CONVERGENCE 2021; 8:7. [PMID: 33650039 PMCID: PMC7921270 DOI: 10.1186/s40580-021-00257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
If generated from water using renewable energy, hydrogen could serve as a carbon-zero, environmentally benign fuel to meet the needs of modern society. Photoelectrochemical cells integrate the absorption and conversion of solar energy and chemical catalysis for the generation of high value products. Tandem photoelectrochemical devices have demonstrated impressive solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies but have not become economically relevant due to high production cost. Dye-sensitized solar cells, those based on a monolayer of molecular dye adsorbed to a high surface area, optically transparent semiconductor electrode, offer a possible route to realizing tandem photochemical systems for H2 production by water photolysis with lower overall material and processing costs. This review addresses the design and materials important to the development of tandem dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells for solar H2 production and highlights current published reports detailing systems capable of spontaneous H2 formation from water using only dye-sensitized interfaces for light capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D Sherman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Campus Box 298860, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA.
| | - Nelli Klinova McMillan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Campus Box 298860, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA
| | - Debora Willinger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Campus Box 298860, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA
| | - Gyu Leem
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
- The Michael M. Szwarc Polymer Research Institute, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
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14
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Abstract
ConspectusEmerging solar cells that convert clean and renewable solar energy to electricity, such as organic solar cells (OSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs), have attracted increasing attention owing to some merits such as facile fabrication, low cost, flexibility, and short energy payback time. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of OSCs and PSCs have exceeded 18% and 25%, respectively.Fullerene derivatives have high electron affinity and mobility with an isotropic transport feature. Fullerene-based OSCs yielded superior PCEs to other acceptors and have dominated electron acceptor materials from 1995 to 2015. However, some drawbacks of fullerenes, such as weak visible absorption, limited tunability of electronic properties, laborious purification, and morphological instability, restrict further development of OSCs toward higher PCEs and practical applications. The theoretical PCE of fullerene-based OSCs is limited to ∼13% due to the relatively large energy losses. Many efforts have been dedicated to developing new acceptor systems beyond fullerenes, and some successful systems such as rylene diimides have achieved PCEs up to ca. 11%.In 2015, our group pioneered a new class of electron acceptors, fused-ring electron acceptor (FREA), as represented by the star molecule ITIC. The chemical features of FREAs include: (1) a modular structure, consisting of an electron-donating core, electron-withdrawing end groups, π-bridges, and side chains, which benefits molecular tailoring; (2) facile synthesis, purification, and scalability. The physical features of FREAs include: (1) a broad modulation range of absorption and energy levels; (2) strong absorption, especially in the 700-1000 nm region; (3) high electron mobility. The device features of FREAs include: (1) low voltage loss; (2) high efficiency; (3) good stability. The FREAs boosted PCEs of the OSCs up to 18% and initiated the transformation from the fullerene to nonfullerene era of this field. FREAs can also be used in PSCs as interfacial layers, electron transport layers, or active layers, improving both efficiency and stability of the devices. Beyond photovoltaic applications, FREAs can also be used in photodetectors, field-effect transistors, two-photon absorption, photothermal therapy, solar water splitting, etc.In this Account, we review the development of the FREAs and their applications in OSCs, PSCs, and other related fields. Molecular design, device engineering, photophysics, and applications of FREAs are discussed in detail. Future research directions toward performance optimization and commercialization of FREAs are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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15
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Wang D, Huang Q, Shi W, You W, Meyer TJ. Application of Atomic Layer Deposition in Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cells. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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16
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Bruggeman DF, Bakker TMA, Mathew S, Reek JNH. Redox-Mediated Alcohol Oxidation Coupled to Hydrogen Gas Formation in a Dye-Sensitized Photosynthesis Cell. Chemistry 2020; 27:218-221. [PMID: 32902899 PMCID: PMC7839774 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This work reports a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC) that couples redox-mediated light-driven oxidative organic transformations to reductive hydrogen (H2 ) formation. The DSPEC photoanode consists of a mesoporous anatase TiO2 film on FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide), sensitized with the thienopyrroledione-based dye AP11, while H2 was formed at a FTO-Pt cathode. Irradiation of the dye-sensitized photoanode transforms 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO) to the oxidized TEMPO (TEMPO+ ), which acts as a chemical oxidant for the conversion of benzyl alcohol. The TEMPO0/+ couple, previously used as redox mediator in DSSC, mediates efficient electron transfer from the organic substrate to the photo-oxidized dye. A DSPEC photoreactor was designed that allows in situ monitoring the reaction progress by infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. Sustained light-driven oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde within the DSPEC photoreactor, using of TEMPO as mediator, demonstrated the efficiency of the device, with a photocurrent of 0.4 mA cm-2 , approaching quantitative Faradaic efficiency and exhibiting excellent device stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didjay F Bruggeman
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tijmen M A Bakker
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon Mathew
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost N H Reek
- Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098, XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Yoshimura N, Kobayashi A, Yoshida M, Kato M. Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production by Surface Modification of Pt‐TiO
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Nanoparticles with a Double Layer of Photosensitizers. Chemistry 2020; 26:16939-16946. [PMID: 33067824 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nobutaka Yoshimura
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University North-10 West-8 Kita-ku Sapporo 0600810 Japan
| | - Atsushi Kobayashi
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University North-10 West-8 Kita-ku Sapporo 0600810 Japan
| | - Masaki Yoshida
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University North-10 West-8 Kita-ku Sapporo 0600810 Japan
| | - Masako Kato
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science Hokkaido University North-10 West-8 Kita-ku Sapporo 0600810 Japan
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18
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Dry Hydrogen Production in a Tandem Critical Raw Material-Free Water Photoelectrolysis Cell Using a Hydrophobic Gas-Diffusion Backing Layer. Catalysts 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/catal10111319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A photoelectrochemical tandem cell (PEC) based on a cathodic hydrophobic gas-diffusion backing layer was developed to produce dry hydrogen from solar driven water splitting. The cell consisted of low cost and non-critical raw materials (CRMs). A relatively high-energy gap (2.1 eV) hematite-based photoanode and a low energy gap (1.2 eV) cupric oxide photocathode were deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO) and a hydrophobic carbonaceous substrate, respectively. The cell was illuminated from the anode. The electrolyte separator consisted of a transparent hydrophilic anionic solid polymer membrane allowing higher wavelengths not absorbed by the photoanode to be transmitted to the photocathode. To enhance the oxygen evolution rate, a NiFeOX surface promoter was deposited on the anodic semiconductor surface. To investigate the role of the cathodic backing layer, waterproofing and electrical conductivity properties were studied. Two different porous carbonaceous gas diffusion layers were tested (Spectracarb® and Sigracet®). These were also subjected to additional hydrophobisation procedures. The Sigracet 35BC® showed appropriate ex-situ properties for various wettability grades and it was selected as a cathodic substrate for the PEC. The enthalpic and throughput efficiency characteristics were determined, and the results compared to a conventional FTO glass-based cathode substrate. A throughput efficiency of 2% was achieved for the cell based on the hydrophobic backing layer, under a voltage bias of about 0.6 V, compared to 1% for the conventional cell. For the best configuration, an endurance test was carried out under operative conditions. The cells were electrochemically characterised by linear polarisation tests and impedance spectroscopy measurements. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs were analysed to assess the structure and morphology of the investigated materials.
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