Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Belen Munoz-Garcia, Iacopo Benesperi, Gerrit Boschloo, Javier J. Concepcion, Jared H. Delcamp, Elizabeth A. Gibson, Gerald J. Meyer, Michele Pavone, Henrik Pettersson, Anders Hagfeldt, Marina Freitag
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have seen a revival in recent years as they offer unique properties such as low cost, non-toxic materials, colorfulness, transparency, and efficiency in low light conditions. This review covers advancements in DSC technology over the past decade, including theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications, and commercialization efforts by various companies.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengyang Feng, Zhi-Peng Wu, Kuo-Wei Huang, Jinhua Ye, Huabin Zhang
Summary: This article introduces the research progress in 2D photocatalysts based on varied compositions and functions, as well as specific surface modification strategies. The fundamental principles focusing on light harvesting, charge separation, and molecular adsorption/activation in the 2D-material-based photocatalytic system are systematically explored. Examples of various photocatalytic energy-conversion systems using 2D materials are described. Finally, the challenges and possible solutions for developing these 2D materials are discussed.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Nobutaka Yoshimura, Masaki Yoshida, Masako Kato, Atsushi Kobayashi
Summary: In this study, a series of Ru(II)-dye-double-layered DSPs with different surface bound metal cations were synthesized and their photocatalytic H2 evolution activity was investigated. The results showed that redox-inactive and highly charged metal cations improve the electron donation, while heavy metal cations contribute to the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excitation.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jiayuan Li, Yong Zhu, Fei Li, Guoquan Liu, Suxian Xu, Licheng Sun
Summary: Addition of pyridine additives on the surface of TiO2 photoanode can significantly increase the photocurrent, up to 42%. One specific combination under experimental conditions produced a photocurrent density of 1 mA/cm(2).
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lihua Li, Liang Zhao, Xiao Jiang, Ze Yu, Jihong Liu, Hailong Rui, Junyu Shen, Walid Sharmoukh, Nageh K. Allam, Licheng Sun
Summary: In recent years, copper(ii/i) complexes have gained attention as redox mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells. A new class of copper complexes with improved solubility and diffusion coefficients by changing the counterion has been reported, leading to a significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency in DSCs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fan Yang, Yurui Gao, Pengcheng Zhao, Yuan He, Yuqiao Wang
Summary: In this study, 1D ZnO@C@MoS(2) nanoarrays on conducting glass were fabricated as an effective counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. The power conversion efficiency reached 3.61% due to enhanced electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fengjuan Miao, Fuchen Chu, Bingcheng Sun, Bairui Tao, Peng Zhang, Yu Zang, Paul K. Chu
Summary: This study presents the design and fabrication of a photoanode composed of Au/SnS/TiO2 sensitized with natural dye for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By calcination, a layer of spherical nano-TiO2 is prepared, and a layer of nano-SnS is deposited on the TiO2 photoanode using the continuous ion layer adsorption reaction (SILAR). The sensitized Au nanoparticles exhibit enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects and electron trapping ability, resulting in improved electron mobility and reduced electron recombination in the DSSC.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Linnea Lindh, Olga Gordivska, Samuel Persson, Hannes Michaels, Hao Fan, Pavel Chabera, Nils W. Rosemann, Arvind Kumar Gupta, Iacopo Benesperi, Jens Uhlig, Om Prakash, Esmaeil Sheibani, Kasper S. Kjaer, Gerrit Boschloo, Arkady Yartsev, Marina Freitag, Reiner Lomoth, Petter Persson, Kenneth Warnmark
Summary: The study successfully improved the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by designing and synthesizing new photosensitizers. Prototype DSSCs using the new Fe NHC photosensitizers showed promising results, with the addition of a co-sensitizer aiding in efficiency improvement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sunghan Choi, Yun-Jae Kim, Soohwan Kim, Hyun Seok Lee, Jae Yoon Shin, Chul Hoon Kim, Ho-Jin Son, Sang Ook Kang
Summary: In precious-metal free photocatalytic systems, non-anchored D-pi-A dyes can efficiently transfer photoexcited electrons to solid catalytic particles through outer-sphere electron transfer. The dual photosensitization processing can achieve efficient CO2 reduction to CO.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Muhammad Ayaz, Jafar Khan Kasi, Ajab Khan Kasi, Muzamil Bokhari, Gerrit Boschloo
Summary: The addition of TPAA can significantly improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells, but the effect depends on the type of dye used. When using the LEG4 dye, the addition of TPAA enables faster dye regeneration, leading to improved cell performance. However, for the N719 dye, despite rapid dye regeneration, there is no significant improvement in the cell.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiawei Xue, Mamoru Fujitsuka, Tetsuro Majima
Summary: This article summarizes the recent progress in unraveling defect-mediated electron transfer in TiO2 and polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts through ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy and theoretical simulations. The study reveals that the photogenerated electron transfer is significantly influenced by the type and concentration of defects, highlighting the importance of carefully tuning the defect states, occupation, and dispersion degree for maximizing the advantages of defects in photocatalytic reactions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Giordano, Giorgio Volpi, Matteo Bonomo, Paolo Mariani, Claudio Garino, Guido Viscardi
Summary: Three aromatic diimine ligands and their corresponding homoleptic copper(I) and copper(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized in this study. The nature of the ligand significantly influenced the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the complexes, and the coordination geometry of the complexes was affected by substituting pendant methyl groups with methoxy. The ligand was found to play a crucial role in the performance of the devices, with methoxy-substituted derivatives exhibiting unexpectedly high open circuit voltage after severe ligand exchange with tert-butylpyridine.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wen-Feng Lai, Pei-Ling Chao, Xin-Yu Lin, Yin-Pei Chen, Jih-Hsin Liu, Tz-Feng Lin, Wei-Chou Hsu, Chia-Yi Huang
Summary: In this study, a one-dimensional protrusive TiO2 strip array was fabricated using chemical and physical methods. A porous semiconductor layer was coated on the strip array. The results showed that the DSSC with the TiO2 strip array had a higher energy conversion efficiency, which can be attributed to the large surface area of the protrusive structure and its specific electron transport paths.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanyuan Wang, Lang Du, Hangmin Guan, Lingyun Hao, Yingfei Hu, Hongxiu Du
Summary: Understanding the photocatalytic reductive dehalogenation mechanism of halogenated aromatic pollutants is important for research. This study investigates the proton source in the photocatalytic dehalogenation process using modified TiO2 samples with different hydroxyl groups. The results show that the abundance of hydroxyl groups on the TiO2 surface affects the proton and electron transfer, and increases the efficiency of the dehalogenation process. The study also reveals that the enrichment of protons on bridging oxygen facilitates the rapid protonation and subsequent proton and electron transfer.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Huang, Matthew C. Beard
Summary: This study demonstrates that organic dyes can enhance multiple exciton generation in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). By using surface-anchored pyrene ligands, the photon-to-charge carrier quantum yield of PbS QDs was significantly increased, leading to improved efficiencies in solar cells.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ritesh Uppuluri, Sooyeon Hwang, Sharad Maheshwari, Pengwei Zhao, Jennifer L. Gray, Alyssa S. Rosas, Hemant P. Yennawar, Xiaobin Fan, Michael J. Janik, Thomas E. Mallouk
Summary: This study investigates the stability of dinuclear rhodium and iridium clusters adsorbed onto layered titanate and niobate supports. The results show that both systems maintain their nuclearity, with rhodium and iridium clusters dispersed without aggregation. Further analysis reveals the stability and adsorption mode of rhodium clusters on nanosheets.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chomponoot Suppaso, Chadawan Khamdang, Likkhasit Wannasen, Tomoki Kanazawa, Akinobu Miyoshi, Shunta Nishioka, Kaewta Jetsrisuparb, Sujitra Amnuaypanich, Suwit Suthirakun, Kazuhiko Maeda, Nithima Khaorapapong
Summary: In this study, composites of cupric oxide (CuO) and NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) were prepared by hydrothermal, solid-state, and physical mixing methods. The photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) generation of these composites and their calcined products from a methanol aqueous solution were investigated under UV-visible light irradiation. The mixed oxide catalyst (CuO/NiFe-MMO-h) showed the highest H2 production with an apparent quantum yield of 0.42% at 400 nm, which was 2.7 times higher than the hydrothermally as-prepared material (CuO/NiFe-LDH-h). The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the close contact and strong interfacial interaction achieved through the hydrothermal reaction, facilitating efficient charge transport and subsequent H2 evolution catalysis.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeffrey M. McNeill, Yun Chang Choi, Yi-Yu Cai, Jiacen Guo, Francois Nadal, Cherie R. Kagan, Thomas E. Mallouk
Summary: This study reports the assembly and phase separation of microspinners powered by sound waves. A phase diagram is constructed by studying the interactions between spinners at different densities, showing gaseous dimer pairing, collective rotation, multiphase separation, and jamming. The observations are consistent with recent theoretical predictions and provide an exciting experimental window for the study of colloidal active matter and microrobotic systems.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Walter D. Johnsen, Mawuli Deegbey, David C. Grills, Dmitry E. Polyansky, Karen I. Goldberg, Elena Jakubikova, Thomas E. Mallouk
Summary: A series of dinuclear molecular copper complexes were prepared to model the binding and Lewis acid stabilization of CO in heterogeneous copper CO2 reduction electrocatalysts. Experimental studies and electronic structure calculations suggest that the key kinetic barrier for CO binding may be a sigma-interaction between Cu-I and the incoming CO ligand. Modifying the ligand backbone or adding Lewis acids can change the thermodynamics and kinetics for CO coordination, allowing access to different reaction zones.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sa Suo, Colton Sheehan, Fengyi Zhao, Langqiu Xiao, Zihao Xu, Jinhui Meng, Thomas E. Mallouk, Tianquan Lian
Summary: Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) junctions are considered a promising architecture for water splitting and CO2 reduction reactions. However, it is challenging to directly measure the photovoltage at metal sites in MIS photoelectrodes. In this study, a new in situ spectroscopic approach using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is developed to probe the quasi-Fermi level of metal catalyst sites in heterogeneous MIS photoelectrodes. The approach is successfully demonstrated on a CO2 reduction photocathode, showing selective probe of the photovoltage generated at the Si/SiO x /Ag junctions.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Georgia Potsi, Yu-Han Joseph Tsai, Austin Reese, Dasol Yoon, Jeremy L. Hitt, Antonios Kouloumpis, Jin Suntivich, David A. Muller, Thomas E. Mallouk, Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Summary: The structural characteristics of supports greatly influence the deposition mechanism of Pt nanoparticles and their electrochemical performance in fuel cells. This study used high surface area hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) as model supports to investigate the deposition mechanism of Pt nanoparticles. Despite similar chemical composition and surface area, the size of deposited Pt nanoparticles was inversely proportional to the mesopore size of the system. Additionally, increasing the size of catalyst particles can enhance the specific activity of the oxygen reduction reaction. Moreover, the overall performance of alkaline fuel cells can be improved by increasing the electronic conductivity of the carbon support using highly conductive graphene sheets.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jarrett D. Dillenburger, Leanna Schulte, Pratibha Mahale, Mohammed Suleiman, Thomas E. Mallouk
Summary: In this study, the structure-property relationships of different compositions of MgAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) intercalated with various anions were explored. It was found that the intercalated anions had a significant impact on interlayer spacing, OH- conductivity, and interlayer water retention. LDHs intercalated with ClO4(-) or NO3(-) anions showed sustained enhancement of in-plane OH- conductivity at intermediate temperatures, despite decreasing relative humidity. The findings suggest a design principle for robust LDH-based anion-exchange membranes for electrochemical applications.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Akinobu Miyoshi, Megumi Okazaki, Kosaku Kato, Tomoki Kanazawa, Toshiyuki Yokoi, Shunta Nishioka, Shunsuke Nozawa, Akira Yamakata, Kazuhiko Maeda
Summary: The development of a photocatalyst capable of evolving H-2 from water under visible light is important. Pd was found to be the best-performing cocatalyst for TiO2:N,F under UV-vis irradiation. However, under visible-light irradiation, the activity of Pd/TiO2:N,F for H-2 evolution was negligibly small.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Haruka Yamamoto, Shunta Nishioka, Langqiu Xiao, Yugo Miseki, Kazuhiro Sayama, Thomas E. Mallouk, Kazuhiko Maeda
Summary: Pt-intercalated calcium niobate nanosheets sensitized by a Ru(II) complex dye and modified with anionic polymers were investigated for their photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production. The results showed that polymer modification had a positive impact on the activity, especially under high light intensity conditions. In Z-scheme overall water splitting, both PSS and PMA exhibited similar energy conversion efficiencies, but PMA outperformed PSS at different NaI concentrations.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kenta Aihara, Ryusuke Mizuochi, Megumi Okazaki, Shunta Nishioka, Shuhei Yasuda, Toshiyuki Yokoi, Fumitaka Ishiwari, Akinori Saeki, Miki Inada, Kazuhiko Maeda
Summary: Mixed-anion compounds are difficult to synthesize compared to ordinary single-anion counterparts, but they have great potential as visible-light-driven photocatalysts. In this study, Pb2Ti2O5.4F1.2 particles with a well-defined octahedral shape were successfully synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MHT) method at 473 K. The MHT-Pb2Ti2O5.4F1.2 showed improved activity for visible-light H-2 evolution compared to its analogue synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction (SSR). A postheating treatment further enhanced its activity, and the optimized MHT-Pb2Ti2O5.4F1.2 achieved nonsacrificial H-2 evolution in the presence of a reversible electron donor.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shunta Nishioka, Frank E. Osterloh, Xinchen Wang, Thomas E. Mallouk, Kazuhiko Maeda
Summary: Artificial photosynthesis, the water splitting into H-2 and O-2 using semiconductor photocatalysts, has been studied for five decades in the goal of large-scale H-2 production from renewable resources. However, the lack of rigor and reproducibility in data collection and analysis has hindered progress in this field. This Primer provides a comprehensive overview of proper characterization and evaluation of photocatalysts, aiming to reduce false positives in the literature and promote progress in practical H-2 production through sunlight.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Justin Mark, Wenhao Zhang, Kazuhiko Maeda, Takafumi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kageyama, Takao Mori
Summary: The mixed-anion compounds Sn2SbS2-xSexI3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5) and Sn2BiS2I3 have been successfully synthesized and characterized. The substitution of Se for S has been confirmed, allowing for tunability of the bandgap. The thermal conductivity measurements show exceptionally low values, as low as 0.22 W m(-1) K-1 at 573 K, within this compound family, which is anomalous compared to the previously reported heavier compound Pb2BiS2I3 (0.7 W m(-1) K-1). Computational analysis reveals that Sn plays a crucial role in controlling the lattice thermal conductivity due to its localized antibonding electrons and large contribution to structural anharmonicity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuta Shiroma, Hiroto Mogi, Takeaki Mashiko, Shuhei Yasuda, Shunta Nishioka, Toshiyuki Yokoi, Shintaro Ida, Koji Kimoto, Kazuhiko Maeda
Summary: Modification of the interlayer nanospaces of lamellar solids can enhance their physical properties and chemical functions. In this study, the interlayer of a layered perovskite oxynitride was modified by H+/K+ exchange, ethylamine intercalation, and exfoliation-restacking. The ethylamine intercalated specimen showed significantly improved photocatalytic H-2 evolution activity, while the restacked nanosheets exhibited decreased activity. These findings suggest that ethylamine intercalation provided suitable interlayer nanospaces for Pt cocatalyst loading, promoting the photocatalytic reaction.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mu Xiao, Zhiliang Wang, Kazuhiko Maeda, Gang Liu, Lianzhou Wang
Summary: The efficiency and stability of photo(electro)catalytic devices are crucial for practical solar fuel production. While significant progress has been made in improving the efficiency of photocatalysts/photoelectrodes, their durability remains a major challenge. A systematic process for stability evaluation of photocatalysts/photoelectrodes is proposed, advocating the use of standard operational conditions and reporting stability results with run time, operational stability, and material stability. A widely adopted standardization for stability assessment would enable reliable comparison of results from different labs. Understanding the deactivation mechanisms is essential for designing efficient and stable photocatalysts/photoelectrodes and advancing solar fuel production.
