Towards efficient and robust anodes for water splitting: Immobilization of Ru catalysts on carbon electrode and hematite by in situ polymerization

Abstract

Ru-bda based molecular water oxidation catalysts 1 and 2 (H2bda=2,2′–bipyridine–6,6′–dicarboxylic acid) containing a thiophene group are attached to the surfaces of electrodes by the method of electropolymerization. The Ru-bda molecular catalyst functionalized graphite carbon electrode can catalyze water oxidation efficiently under a overpotential of ca 500mV to obtain current density of 5mAcm−2; and the similarly functionalized photoelectrode based on α-Fe2O3 (hematite) film can work as an photoanode for light driven water splitting.