The use of carbon neutral fuels such as hydrogen represents one of the most promising solutions to addressing CO2–driven climate change. Dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) are designed for performing light driven water splitting, and thereby producing H2 gas as an environmentally benign fuel. In an effort to improve the solar energy conversion efficiency in a DSPEC, electropolymerization has been investigated as a new means of assembling the essential interfacial molecular components of a DSPEC photoanode. This approach allows for a layer-by-layer surface coating containing a molecular dye (tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)) and iridium oxide nanoparticle water oxidation catalyst (IrOx). Synthesis of IrOx nanoparticles was performed using specifically chosen surface capping groups (acrylic acid and itaconic acid) which contain terminal carbon-carbon double bonds to enable electrochemical polymerization to form a surface polymer film. Verification of the formation of the particles and characterization showing the surface functional groups were done by FTIR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Films made via the electropolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomeric precursors onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), as well as tin doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes, served as foundational layer for the electrochemical deposition of surface coated IrOx water oxidation catalysts. The optimal AA:AM monomer concentration ratio, as well as potential range and time length for an efficient electropolymerization with these precursors were investigated. Ongoing investigations seek to incorporate the tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chromophore as a base component in the electropolymerized film to enable photoelectrochemical investigation of the surface.

Dye–catalyst electrode interfaces formed via electropolymerization for light driven water oxidation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.