Materials and device concepts for renewable solar hydrogen production, and size dependent properties of ZnO quantum dots are the two main themes of this thesis. ZnO particles with diameters less than 10 nm, which are small enough for electronic quantum confinement, were synthesized by hydrolysis in alkaline zinc acetate solutions. Properties investigated include: the band gap - particle size relation, phonon quantum confinement, visible and UV-fluorescence as well as photocatalytic performance. In order to determine the absolute energetic position of the band edges and the position of trap levels involved in the visible fluorescence, methods based on combining linear sweep voltammetry and optical measurements were developed. The large band gap of ZnO prevents absorption of visible light, and in order to construct devices capable of utilizing a larger part of the solar spectrum, other materials were also investigated, like hematite , Fe2O3, and CIGS, CuIn1-xGaxSe2. The optical properties of hematite were investigated as a function of film thickness on films deposited by ALD. For films thinner than 20 nm, a blue shift was observed for both the absorption maximum, the indirect band gap as well as for the direct transitions. The probability for the indirect transition decreased substantially for thinner films due to a suppressed photon/phonon coupling. These effects decrease the visible absorption for films thin enough for effective charge transport in photocatalytic applications. CIGS was demonstrated to be a highly interesting material for solar hydrogen production. CIGS based photocathodes demonstrated high photocurrents for the hydrogen evolution half reaction. The electrode stability was problematic, but was solved by introducing a modular approach based on spatial separation of the basic functionalities in the device. To construct devices capable of driving the full reaction, the possibility to use cells interconnected in series as an alternative to tandem devices were investigated. A stable, monolithic device based on three CIGS cells interconnected in series, reaching beyond 10 % STH-efficiency, was finally demonstrated. With experimental support from the CIGS-devices, the entire process of solar hydrogen production was reviewed with respect to the underlying physical processes, with special focus on the similarities and differences between various device concepts.

Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-03-24T21:23:22Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) monique_rocha_almeida.pdf: 4635045 bytes, checksum: 2d203824a390ae82a5006e68b621c98b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-04-20T19:40:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) monique_rocha_almeida.pdf: 4635045 bytes, checksum: 2d203824a390ae82a5006e68b621c98b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-20T19:40:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) monique_rocha_almeida.pdf: 4635045 bytes, checksum: 2d203824a390ae82a5006e68b621c98b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) / A convers?o de energia solar em energia qu?mica usando c?lulas fotoeletroqu?micas ? uma estrat?gia interessante para armazenar energia. C?lulas fotoeletroqu?micas s?o dispositivos constitu?dos de fotoeletrodos semicondutores que absorvem luz com energia maior ou igual a energia de bandgap do semicondutor e geram cargas reativas (el?trons e buracos) na superf?cie dos fotoeletrodos capazes de promover a redu??o e oxida??o da ?gua em H2 e O2, respectivamente. Nesta disserta??o, quatro fotoeletrodos de g-C3N4, g-C3N4/Cu1%, g- C3N4/Cu5% e Cu2O/CuO foram preparados com o objetivo de desenvolver uma c?lula fotoeletroqu?mica para clivagem da ?gua em H2 e O2 de forma espont?nea. As medidas de difratometria de raios X confirmaram a presen?a das fases g-C3N4 e Cu2O/CuO nos fotoeletrodos. As imagens de MEV mostraram que os materiais ? base de g-C3N4 possuem morfologia do tipo esponja, enquanto a heterojun??o Cu2O/CuO ? formada por nanopart?culas de forma indefinida. Medidas de reflect?ncia difusa mostraram que o acoplamento do g-C3N4 e Cu2O/CuO resulta em uma melhora significativa na absor??o ?ptica dos fotoeletrodos. Medidas de ?rea espec?fica indicaram que os nanomateriais ? base de g-C3N4 tem alta ?rea superficial (?100 m2 g?1), enquanto a ?rea espec?fica da heterojun??o Cu2O/CuO foi de 17 m2 g?1. Os resultados de redu??o ? temperatura programada evidenciaram a forma??o das heterojun??es. Os testes fotoeletroqu?micos de produ??o de O2 a partir da ?gua usando luz vis?vel indicaram que em potenciais an?dicos, apenas o fotoanodo de g-C3N4 foi est?vel apresentando uma densidade de fotocorrente de 16 ?A cm?2 que corresponde a uma efici?ncia de convers?o de luz de 0,014%. Em potenciais cat?dicos, a maior densidade de fotocorrente (60 ?A cm?2) foi obtida para o fotoeletrodo Cu2O/CuO. A efici?ncia de convers?o de luz do fotocatodo de Cu2O/CuO foi de 0,029%. Com base nos dados obtidos, uma c?lula fotoeletroqu?mica p-n foi constru?da usando a heterojun??o Cu2O/CuO como fotocatodo e g- C3N4 como fotoanodo. Esta c?lula gerou uma densidade de fotocorrente in operando de 0,62 ?A cm?2 e uma fotovoltagem de 0,62 V. A efici?ncia de convers?o solar da fotoc?lula foi de 0,004% sob irradia??o de luz vis?vel. Apesar da baixa efici?ncia obtida, espera-se que esta disserta??o possa servir de inspira??o para o desenvolvimento de novos dispositivos fotoeletroqu?micos para clivagem da ?gua em H2 e O2, usando luz vis?vel. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Qu?mica, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / The conversion of solar energy into chemical energy using photoelectrochemical cells is an interesting strategy to store energy. Photoelectrochemical cells are made up of semiconductor photoelectrodes that absorb light with energy equal or higher than the bandgap energy of the semiconductor to generate reactive charges (electrons and holes) on the surface of the photoelectrodes, which can promote the oxidation and reduction reactions of water to form H2 and O2, respectively. In this dissertation, four photoelectrodes of g-C3N4, g-C3N4/Cu1%, g- C3N4/Cu5%, and Cu2O/CuO were prepared in order to develop a photoelectrochemical cell for spontaneous water splitting into H2 and O2. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the presence of g-C3N4 and Cu2O/CuO phases in the photoelectrodes. The SEM images showed that the materials based on g-C3N4 have sponge-like morphology, whereas the Cu2O/CuO heterojunction is formed by nanoparticles with undefined shapes. Diffuse reflectance measurements showed that coupling g-C3N4 and Cu2O/CuO results in a significant improvement in optical absorption of the photoelectrodes. Surface area measurements indicated that the nanomaterials based on g-C3N4 have high surface areas (?100 m2 g?1), while the specific area for the Cu2O/CuO heterojunction was 17 m2 g?1. The temperature programmed reduction results evidenced the formation of the heterojunctions. The photoelectrochemical assays of O2 production from water using visible light indicated that at anodic potentials, only the photoanode g-C3N4 was stable showing a photocurrent density of 16 ?A cm?2, which corresponds to a light conversion efficiency of 0.014%. At cathodic potentials, the higher photocurrent density (60 ?A cm?2) was obtained for the Cu2O/CuO photoelectrode. The light conversion efficiency of the Cu2O/CuO photocathode was 0.029%. Based on the obtained data, a p-n photoelectrochemical cell was constructed using the Cu2O/CuO heterojunction as the photocathode and g-C3N4 as the photoanode. This photocell generated a photocurrent density in operando of 0.62 ?A cm?2 and photovoltage of 0.62 V. The light conversion efficiency of the photocell was 0.004% under visible light irradiation. Despite the low efficiency obtained for the p-n photocell, it is expected that this dissertation may serve of inspiration for the development of new photoelectrochemical devices for water splitting into H2 and O2 using visible light.

La première partie du projet consiste à synthétiser de nouveaux chromophores de structure D-π-[M]-π-A pour des applications en cellules solaires à colorant. La synthèse de complexes symétriques contenant deux fragments métalliques [Ru(dppe)2] sera ensuite envisagée pour obtenir des architectures de type D-π-A-π-D pouvant être testées comme matériau de type n ou p en cellules solaires organiques. Enfin, comme il a été précédemment démontré que la communication électronique peut avoir lieu à travers plusieurs centres ruthénium, la longueur du complexe pourra être augmentée par addition de plusieurs unités métallo-organiques pour conduire à des structures oligomériques aux propriétés d’absorption de l’énergie lumineuse exaltées. / The first part of the research project will consist in the synthesis and study of new chromophores based on the D-π-[M]-π-A model. At that stage, easy synthesis of symmetrical complexes including two [Ru(dppe)2] metal fragments will be envisaged to afford D-π-A-π-D architectures to be tested in n-type solar cells and p-type solar cells. Later on, as it has been demonstrated that electronic communication may occur through several Ru-based metal centres,the complexes length might be incremented by addition of multiple metal-organic units to create oligomeric structures with strong light-harvesting properties.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Cedric Rocha Leão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências e Materiais Avançados, 2016. / Células fotoeletroquímicas (PECs) são dispositivos optoeletrônicos que convertem a energia solar em energia química através da fotoeletrólise da água. O vanadato de bismuto (BiVO4) é um semicondutor com propriedades fotocatalíticas promissoras para aplicação em PECs, apresentando uma das maiores eficiências teóricas na transformação da energia luminosa em energia química. Contudo, o BiVO4 pristino apresenta alguns fatores limitantes para sua eficiência, tais como baixa condutividade intrínseca e a curta duração das fotoexcitações. Resultados experimentais indicam que a incorporação de Mo ou W ao BiVO4 aumenta a geração de fotocorrente. Porém, esta incorporação apresenta resultados ótimos para as seguintes concentração dos dopantes: 10 at.% (percentual atômico) para o Mo e 8 at.% para o W. No presente trabalho, busca-se investigar por cálculos ab initio baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade como a variação na concentracão de Mo em matriz de BiVO4 altera as propriedades eletrônicas do semicondutor. Para tanto, a adição destes metais de transição foi abordada de dois modos: dopagem por Mo e formação de ligas quaternárias por Mo ou W. Os resultados de energia de formação de defeitos intrínsecos indicam que a síntese do BiVO4 em atmosfera pobre em oxigênio maximiza a formação de defeitos doadores rasos, otimizando a geração de fotocorrente no dispositivo. Os defeitos substitucionais de Mo em sítio de V são doadores rasos e apresentaram baixa energia de formação, contudo o aumento na concentração destes átomos promove o surgimento de níveis profundos que atuam como armadilhas de portadores de carga. As análises de densidade de estados projetada mostraram que os estados eletrônicos do Mo nas ligas quaternárias hibridizam-se sobretudo na banda de condução. Foram verificadas alterações nas massas efetivas de elétrons e buracos, bem como no gap de energia devido à adição dos elementos de liga. Potencialmente, a incorporação destes átomos pode propiciar a formação de ligas quaternárias com alteração também no alinhamento da banda de condução com o potencial de redução da água e no acoplamento elétron-fônon. / Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) are optoelectronic devices that convert light energy into chemical energy through water splitting process. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) presents promissing photocatalytic properties for application in PECs. However, there are some limitant factors for the pristine BiVO4, such poor charge transport and excessive electron¿hole recombination. Previous experimental results show that the addition of Mo or W into BiVO4 increases the photocurrent generation. Nevertheless, these additions promote optimal photocurrent generation for 10 at.% (atomic percent) of Mo. and 8 at.% of W. In the present work, we propose to investigate using ab initio calculations based on density functional theory how the increment of Mo concentration into the BiVO4 can change its electronic properties. We approach this issue in two ways: doping using Mo and alloying by Mo or W. Results of thermodynamic studies to determine theoretically the conditions for nucleation and growth of BiVO4 pristine and doped suggest that the synthesis of BiVO4 in an oxygen poor atmosphere enhances the concentration of shallow donors, optimizing the photocurrent generation by the photoanode. Substitutional defects containing Mo into the V site are shallow donors that present low formation energy, however the enhancement in the alloy element concentration promotes the arising of deep levels which acts as trap for charge carriers. Analysis of projected density of states shows that the electronic states of Mo in quaternary alloys hybridize mainly in the conduction band. Our results indicate that this alloying changes the effective masses of electrons and holes, as well as the bandgap. Potentially, the alloying using Mo or W can change other properties, such as band edge alignment and electron-phonon coupling which will affect the device performance.

Submitted by Luciana Sebin (lusebin@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T18:12:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMAA.pdf: 3706175 bytes, checksum: 849f2e6fb88e0e236a824a72bfb02512 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-13T20:12:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMAA.pdf: 3706175 bytes, checksum: 849f2e6fb88e0e236a824a72bfb02512 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-13T20:12:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMAA.pdf: 3706175 bytes, checksum: 849f2e6fb88e0e236a824a72bfb02512 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-13T20:13:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMAA.pdf: 3706175 bytes, checksum: 849f2e6fb88e0e236a824a72bfb02512 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-27 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Among the variety of semiconductor materials investigated to apply in electrochemical cells bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is one of the candidate which would be used as photoanode. Thus, this study aimed to synthesize thin films of BiVO4 and their modification with a thin layer of iron (III) oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) by photodeposition and study their photoelectrocatalytic properties. The optimization of BiVO4 synthesis condition was assessed by a factorial design 23 and an analysis of univariate type. The parameters studied were annealing temperature (500 and 600 °C), calcinations time (30, 60, 150 and 270 min.), solvent type employed for dissolving the BiVO4 precursor reagents (poly ethylene glycol 300-PEG 300, PEG 400, ethylene glycol-EG, mixture 1:1 by volume of PEG 300 and EG), deposition method of BiVO4 films (dropping and spin coating) and method of drying layers (heating at 500 °C, heat gun and no drying). From the optimized condition BiVO4 film was prepared by dissolving bismuth (III) nitrate and ammonium metavanadate in a mixture of 1:1 by volume of EG and PEG 300, it was deposited onto glass containing FTO by spin coating and then calcinated directly at 500 °C for 60 min. The photodeposition was carried out in the mixture FeSO4 and sodium citrate medium both 1 mmol L-1 and pH 4.7 by applying the open circuit potential for 5 min. and under light incidence. and then polarizing at 1.2 V for 1 min. BiVO4 and BiVO4/FeOOH films were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, UV-vis, voltammetry (cyclic and linear) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results reveled that photocurrent values increased 2.5 times at 0.71 V and the on set potential shifted to less positive value in the presence of FeOOH, also there was a considerable reduction of the charge transfer resistance in the interface photoanode/solution. The bare BiVO4 films were photostable during the illumination time studied which was 4 h. However, the modified films did not show the same behavior, the photocurrent value decreased 29% after 4 h illuminated. The results in the sulphite presence showed that photocurrent value for bare BiVO4 and BiVO4/FeOOH were less than the maximum photocurrent value which would achieve for this materias. / Dentre os diversos materiais semicondutores estudados para aplicação em células fotoeletroquímicas encontra-se o vanadato de bismuto (BiVO4), o qual pode ser utilizado como fotoanodo. Deste modo, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal a síntese de filmes finos de BiVO4 e sua modificação com uma fina camada de oxihidróxido de ferro (III) (FeOOH) por fotodeposição e avaliação das propriedades fotoeletrocatalíticas destes materiais. A otimização das condições de síntese do BiVO4 foi avaliada por um planejamento fatorial 23 e por uma análise do tipo univariada. Os parâmetros estudados foram temperatura de calcinação (500 e 600 °C), tempo de calcinação (30, 60, 150 e 270 min.), tipo de solvente empregado para dissolução dos reagentes precursores do BiVO4 (polietileno glicol 300-PEG 300, PEG 400, etileno glicol-EG, mistura 1:1 em volume de PEG 300 e EG), método de deposição dos filmes de BiVO4 (dropping e spin coating) e método de secagem das camadas dos filmes (aquecimento a 500 °C, soprador térmico e sem secar). Nas condições otimizadas o filme de BiVO4 foi preparado pela dissolução de nitrato de bismuto (III) e metavanadato de amônio em uma mistura de 1:1 em volume de EG e PEG 300, depositado sobre vidro contendo FTO por spin coating e depois calcinado diretamente a 500 ºC por 60 min. A fotodeposição foi realizada em meio da mistura FeSO4 e citrato de sódio ambos a 1 mmol L-1 e pH 4,7, aplicando-se o potencial de circuito aberto por 5 min. e com incidência de luz, seguida de polarização em 1,2 V por 1 min. Os filmes de BiVO4 e BiVO4/FeOOH foram caracterizados por DRX, MEV, EDX, UV-vis, voltametria (cíclica e linear) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica. Os resultados mostram que na presença do FeOOH houve aumento de 2,5 vezes nos valores de densidade fotocorrente em 0,71 V e o potencial de on set deslocou-se para valores menos positivos, bem como uma redução considerável na resistência de transferência de carga na interface fotoanodo/solução. Os filmes de BiVO4 puro apresentaram-se fotoestáveis durante o tempo de iluminação estudado, 4 h. No entanto, os filmes modificados não apresentaram o mesmo comportamento, houve um decréscimo de 29% no valor de densidade de fotocorrente após 4 h de iluminação. O estudo na presença do sulfito mostrou que os valores de fotocorrentes para o BiVO4 puro e o BiVO4/FeOOH estão abaixo do valor máximo que se poderia obter para estes materiais.

Orientadores: Ana Flávia Nogueira, Valtencir Zucolotto / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T02:59:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida_LuizCarlosPimentel_D.pdf: 6880507 bytes, checksum: f7a2c24853f25411226ae9b66a2de97b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Neste trabalho foram estudados filmes finos multicamadas baseados em polímeros condutores, nanotubos de carbono e um derivado de fulereno. Esses filmes foram depositados pela técnica de deposição camada por camada (LbL) via interações eletrostáticas. Esse trabalho está dividido em duas partes: 1-) Filmes LbL baseados no polímero conjugado poli(p-fenilenovinileno) (PPV) e nanotubos de carbono de parede única funcionalizados com grupos carboxílicos (SWNTCOOH) foram preparados em arquitetura de bloco, caracterizados e aplicados como fotoeletrodos em células solares fotoeletroquímicas. A morfologia desses filmes foi avaliada por microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e de epifluorescência, as quais indicaram uma variação morfológica significativa dos filmes após adição de camadas de nanotubos de carbono. A transferência de carga fotoinduzida do polímero condutor PPV para o SWNT-COOH foi analisada por supressão de fotoluminescência (PL). A caracterização fotoeletroquímica foi realizada sob irradiação de luz branca e os fotoeletrodos contendo SWNT-COOH apresentaram valores de fotocorrente de até 7,5 mA cm. A fotocorrente aumentou e tornou-se mais estável quando uma camada do polímero poli(3,4-etilenodioxitiofeno) dopado com poli(4-sulfonato de estireno) (PEDOT:PSS) foi depositada entre o eletrodo ITO e o filme LbL. 2-) Foram preparados filmes LbL baseados no polímero conjugado poli[2-(3-tienil)-etoxi-4-butilsulfonato] de sódio (PTEBS) e no derivado de fulereno C60-F. A caracterizacao fotofísica mostrou a ocorrência de transferência fotoinduzida de carga do PTEBS para o C60-F, a qual foi também demonstrada por meio da geração de fotocorrente obtida quando os filmes (PTEBS/C60-F) foram aplicados como fotoeletrodos em células solares fotoeletroquímicas. Os resultados obtidos fazem dos filmes LbL baseados em semicondutores orgânicos candidatos promissores para conversão de energia solar. / Abstract: In this work, multilayer thin films based on conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes and fullerene derivatives were studied. These films were fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition technique (LbL) through electrostatic interactions. This work is divided in two parts: 1-) LbL films composed of a conducting polymer poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) and carboxylic acid functionalized singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-COOH) were prepared in a block architecture, characterized and applied as electrodes in photoelectrochemical solar cells. Film morphology was evaluated by atomic force and epifluorescence microscopies, showing remarkable changes after incorporation of SWNT-COOH layers. The photoinduced charge transfer from the conducting polymer to SWNT-COOH was analyzed by photoluminescence (PL) quenching. Photoelectrochemical characterization was performed under white light and the films containing SWNTCOOH displayed photocurrent values up to 7.5 mA cm. Photocurrent generation was enhanced and became more stable when an intermediate layer of poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)¿poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) was interposed between the ITO electrode and LbL films. 2-) LbL films based on the conducting polymer sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS) and fullerene derivative C60-F were fabricated. Photophysical characterization shows the occurrence of photoinduced charge transfer from PTEBS to C60-F, which was also demonstrated by photocurrent generation obtained when (PTEBS/C60-F) multilayer films were applied as electrodes of photoelectrochemical solar cells. All these results make the LbL films based on organic semiconductors promising canditates towards solar energy conversion. / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

In 1972 Fujishima and Honda conceptualised a photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen generation via PEC water splitting. Hydrogen as a clean energy carrier provides environmentally friendly energy storage solutions or can fuel certain applications. This idea has since then been further built upon with new materials and combinations with the aim of improving efficiency. In this project n-type cubic silicon carbide thick layers were grown by a sublimation method and characterised for water splitting performance. A generated photo-current density of 0.45 mA/cm2 was measured with no bias between the working and counter electrodes.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Chemistry) / Renewable energy has become the centrepiece of research in resolving the energy crisis. One of the forms of renewable energy is solar energy. This form of energy is costly to develop. Organic molecules are promising materials for the construction of next generation photovoltaic cells considering their advantage of lower cost compared to crystalline silicon that is currently used in solar cells. This forms the basis of this research, which focused on the synthesis and characterisation of poly(3- hexylthiophene) P3HT, stannum (Sn) nanoparticles and stannum-based bimetallic stannum-titanium (SnTi), stannum-chromium (SnCr) and stannum-vanadium (SnV) nanoparticles for the application in the construction of heterojunction photovoltaic cells (PVCs).

Increasing energy consumption and its environmental impacts make it necessary to look for alternative energy sources. Solar energy as huge energy source which is able to cover the terms sustainability is considered as a favorable alternative. Solar cells and solar fuels are two kinds of technologies, which make us able to harness solar energy and convert it to electricity and/or store it chemically. Metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) have a major role in these devices and optimization of their properties (composition, morphology, dimensions, crystal structure) makes it possible to increase the performance of the devices. The light absorption, charge carriers mobility, the time scale between charge injection, regeneration and recombination processes are some of the properties critical to exploitation of MOSs in solar cells and solar fuel technology. In this thesis, we explore two different systems. The first one is a NiO mesoporous semiconductor photocathode sensitized with a biomimetic Fe-Fe catalyst and a coumarin C343 dye, which was tested in a solar fuel device to produce hydrogen. This system is the first solar fuel device based on a biomimetic Fe-Fe catalyst and it shows a Faradic efficiency of 50% in hydrogen production. Cobalt catalysts have higher Faradic efficiency but their performance due to hydrolysis in low pH condition is limited. The second one is a photoanode based on the nanostructured hematite/magnetite film, which was tested in a photoelectrochemical cell. This hybrid electrode improved the photoactivity of the photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting. The main mechanism for the improvement of the functional properties relies with the role of the magnetite phase, which improves the charge carrier mobility of the composite system, compared to pure hematite, which acts as good light absorber semiconductor. By optimizing the charge separation and mobility of charge carriers of MOSs, they can be a promising active material in solar cells and solar fuel devices due to their abundance, stability, non-toxicity, and low-cost. The future work will be focused on the use of nanostructured MOSs in all-oxide solar cell devices. We have already obtained some preliminary results on 1-dimensional heterojunctions, which we report in Chapter 3.3. While they are not conclusive, they give an idea about the future direction of the present research.

Due to the drastic required thermodynamical requirements, a photoelectrode material that can function as both a photocathode and a photoanode remains elusive. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that, under simulated solar light and without co-catalysts, donor-acceptor conjugated acetylenic polymers (CAPs) exhibit both impressive oxygen evolution (OER) and hydrogen evolution (HER) photocurrents in alkaline and neutral medium, respectively. In particular, poly(2,4,6-tris(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine) (pTET) provides a benchmark OER photocurrent density of ~200 μA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) at pH 13 and a remarkable HER photocurrent density of ~190 μA cm−2 at 0.3 V vs. RHE at pH 6.8. By combining theoretical investigations and electrochemical-operando Resonance Raman spectroscopy, we show that the OER proceeds with two different mechanisms, with the electron-depleted triple bonds acting as single-site OER in combination with the C4-C5 atoms of the phenyl rings as dual sites. The HER, instead, occurs via an electron transfer from the tri-acetylenic linkages to the triazine rings, which act as the HER active sites. This work represents a novel application of organic-based materials and contributes to the development of high-performance photoelectrochemical catalysts for the solar fuels’ generation.