Photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water and reduction of CO2 are very important and have been studied for long time. For highly efficient and stable systems, it is essential to develop electrocatalyst, which accelerates a specific reaction. Here, we employed Si(111) as a substrate and metal complexes precisely placed on or within the well ordered molecular layer formed on Si(111) via covalent Si-C bond, as catalysts. PEC HER rate was significantly enhanced by attaching a Pt complex on top of a thiol terminated monolayer via thiol group. Ex situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) showed the oxidation state of Pt was not changed. Efficient PEC HER and CO2 reduction were also achieved by incorporating metal complexes electrostatically within multi-layer of viologen moiety, which acts as electron mediator. Ex situ and in situ XAFS confirm that some metal complexes act as confined molecular catalyst.

Formation and structural determination of "confined molecular catalysts" on and within molecular layers formed on Si(111) surface with direct Si-C bond for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation and CO<sub>2</sub> reduction

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Formation and structural determination of "confined molecular catalysts" on and within molecular layers formed on Si(111) surface with direct Si-C bond for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation and CO2 reduction

Formation and structural determination of "confined molecular catalysts" on and within molecular layers formed on Si(111) surface with direct Si-C bond for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation and CO₂ reduction