Copper(I) Donor–Chromophore–Acceptor Assembly for Light-Driven Oxidation on a Zinc Oxide Nanowire Electrode

Abstract

Dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells have emerged as a potential candidate for solar-to-fuel conversion. Herein, we report a Cu(I)-based donor–chromophore–acceptor triad comprising a triphenylamine electron donor and a dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine electron acceptor as the active material for photoanodes. Energy levels of this triad are carefully aligned for thermodynamically favorable photoinduced electron transfer. Once this triad is surface-grafted onto zinc oxide nanowires, photoelectrochemical studies confirm the utility of this architecture for oxidative processes such as alcohol oxidation with modest yields.