Publication date: 31st March 2013
Production of hydrogen by photoelectrochemical water splitting or organic substance reforming is being studied for several decades but the discovery of new materials and processes has incited new and strong interest. Photoelectrochemical water splitting is carried out in a photoelectrochemical cell comprising a photocatalyst-bearing anode, where charge carriers are generated and oxidation reactions are carried out, and an electrocatalyst-bearing cathode, where reductions take place. These basic functions are realized by employing a variety of new materials. One standard configuration involves a nanocrystalline titania photocatalyst sensitized in the Visible by Quantum dot sensitizers. As electrocatalyst, the standard choice is nanoparticulate Pt mixed with carbon nanoparticles. Due to the scarcity and cost of platinum, several new materials have been proposed for its substitution. The present work will show some alternative electrocatalysts that have been recently studied by us. Such materials involve bucky papers (see image) [1] and graphene oxide as well as nanostructured metal sulfides, which particularly fit the case of sulfide-containing electrolytes.
FE-SEM image of a buckypaper (made of multiwall carbon nanotubes)
[1] S.Sfaelou, M.Antoniadou, G.Trakakis, V.Dracopoulos, D.Tasis, J.Parthenios, C.Galiotis, K.Papagelis, P.Lianos, Buckypaper as Pt-free cathode electrode in photoactivated fuel cells. Electrochimica Acta 2012, 80, 399-404.
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