Electrolyte Engineering Stabilizes Photoanodes Decorated with Molecular Catalysts

Jenewein KJ, Wang Y, Liu T, McDonald T, Zlatar M, Kulyk N, Benavente Llorente V, Kormányos A, Wang D, Cherevko S (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Chemsuschem Wiley-VCH Verlag

DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202202319

Abstract

Molecular catalysts are promising oxygen evolution promoters in conjunction with photoanodes for solar water splitting. Maintaining the stability of both photoabsorber and cocatalyst is still a prime challenge, with many efforts tackling this issue through sophisticated material designs. Such approaches often mask the importance of the electrode-electrolyte interface and overlook easily tunable system parameters, such as the electrolyte environment, to improve efficiency. We provide a systematic study on the activity-stability relationship of a prominent Fe2O3 photoanode modified with Ir molecular catalysts using in situ mass spectroscopy. After gaining detailed insights into the dissolution behavior of the Ir cocatalyst, a comprehensive pH study is conducted to probe the impact of the electrolyte on the performance. An inverse trend in Fe and Ir stability is found, with the best activity-stability synergy obtained at pH 9.7. The results bring awareness to the overall photostability and electrolyte engineering when advancing catalysts for solar water splitting.

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Boston College US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Jenewein, K.J., Wang, Y., Liu, T., McDonald, T., Zlatar, M., Kulyk, N.,... Cherevko, S. (2023). Electrolyte Engineering Stabilizes Photoanodes Decorated with Molecular Catalysts. Chemsuschem. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202202319

MLA:

Jenewein, Ken J., et al. "Electrolyte Engineering Stabilizes Photoanodes Decorated with Molecular Catalysts." Chemsuschem (2023).

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