Volume 198, 2017

Stable hybrid organic/inorganic photocathodes for hydrogen evolution with amorphous WO3 hole selective contacts

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical H2 production through hybrid organic/inorganic interfaces exploits the capability of polymeric absorbers to drive photo-induced electron transfer to an electrocatalyst in a water environment. Photoelectrode architectures based on solution-processed organic semiconductors are now emerging as low-cost alternatives to crystalline inorganic semiconductors based on Si, oxides and III–V alloys. In this work, we demonstrate that the stability of a hybrid organic/inorganic photocathode, employing a P3HT:PCBM blend as photoactive material, can be considerably improved by introducing an electrochemically stable WO3 hole selective layer, paired with a TiO2 electron selective layer. This hybrid photoelectrode exhibits a photocurrent of 2.48 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE, +0.56 VRHE onset potential and a state-of the art operational activity of more than 10 hours. This work gives the perspective that photoelectrodes based on organic semiconductors, coupled with proper inorganic selective contacts, represent a sound new option for the efficient and durable photoelectrochemical conversion of solar energy into fuels.

Associated articles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 okt 2016
Accepted
20 okt 2016
First published
20 okt 2016

Faraday Discuss., 2017,198, 433-448

Stable hybrid organic/inorganic photocathodes for hydrogen evolution with amorphous WO3 hole selective contacts

A. Mezzetti, F. Fumagalli, A. Alfano, D. Iadicicco, M. R. Antognazza and F. di Fonzo, Faraday Discuss., 2017, 198, 433 DOI: 10.1039/C6FD00216A

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