A Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrochemical Tandem Cell for Light Driven Hydrogen Production from Water

Abstract

Tandem junction photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices, whereby two light absorbing electrodes targeting separate portions of the solar spectrum generate the voltage required to convert water to oxygen and hydrogen, enable much higher possible efficiencies than single absorber systems. We report here on the development of a tandem system consisting of a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell (DSPEC) wired in series with a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). The DSPEC photoanode incorporates a tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-type chromophore and molecular ruthenium based water oxidation catalyst. The DSPEC was tested with two more-red absorbing DSC variations, one utilizing N719 dye with an I₃^-/I^- redox mediator solution and the other D35 dye with a tris(bipyridine)cobalt ([Co(bpy)₃]^3+/2+) based mediator. The tandem configuration consisting of the DSPEC and D35/[Co(bpy)₃]^3+/2+ based DSC gave the best overall performance and demonstrated the production of H₂ from H₂O with the only energy input from simulated solar illumination.