Interfacing fuel-forming catalysts with light-harvesting semiconductors affords a pathway to direct solar-to-fuels conversion that captures the basic elements of photosynthesis. An 'artificial leaf' can be designed if the one-electron/hole wireless current of a semiconductor can be integrated directly with catalysts to perform the four electron-four proton catalysis of water splitting. Recently our group has integrated a silicon solar cell with a cobalt water splitting catalyst (Co-Pi) to yield a photo-assisted anode for the solar water splitting at neutral pH.  To realize an efficient artificial leaf, it is crucial that photogenerated carriers are able to migrate from the PV element to the catalysts. Therefore, we are currently focused on optimizing the Ohmic contact between the PV element and the catalytic sites.

Light-induced water oxidation at catlyst functionalized silicon electrodes

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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