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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Faraday discussions 2017-06, Vol.198, p.433-448
Main Authors: Mezzetti, Alessandro, Fumagalli, Francesco, Alfano, Antonio, Iadicicco, Daniele, Antognazza, Maria Rosa, di Fonzo, Fabio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Contact
Durability
Organic semiconductors
Photocathodes
Photoelectric effect
Semiconductors
Titanium dioxide
Tungsten oxides
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1359-6640
1364-5498
DOI:10.1039/c6fd00216a