Promoting hole transfer for photoelectrochemical water oxidation through a manganese cluster catalyst bioinspired by natural photosystem II

Abstract

A BiVO₄ photoanode was combined with bioinspired Mn₄O₄–cubane, which has a structure and composite similar to those of the oxygen-evolving complex (Mn₄CaO₅) in photosystem II. The hybrid photoanode exhibited a lower onset potential and higher photocurrent than the pristine photoanode because of the faster kinetics of the reaction and reduced rate of recombination of the carriers.