Abstract

Activating molecular catalysts at the surface of metal oxides can be a promising strategy to overcome the sluggish interfacial kinetics and enhance the efficiencies for photo(electro)chemical (PEC) water oxidation. However, the physical association between inorganic semiconductors for PEC process and organometallic molecular catalysts for surface catalytic reactions generally remains a challenging problem. In the present work, Kläui-type organometallic precursor [Cp*Ir{P(O)(OH)2}3]Na was first synthesized and subsequently successfully anchored onto BiVO4 nanopyramids grown on transparent conducting substrates through various procedures. Treating the resulting hybrid heteronanostructure with IO4– induces a strong synergism between iridium atoms and BiVO4 nanocrystals that exhibits a 5.5 times enhancement in photocurrent density at 1.23 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for PEC water oxidation. This simple approach provides an effective alternative pathway for molecular catalysts anchoring on inorganic semiconductors for efficient renewable energy utilization.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.