Direct and indirect light energy harvesting with films of ambiently deposited ZnO nanoparticles

Autor(es)

Irikura, Kallyni ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Marken, Frank ^[2] ; Fletcher, Philip J. ^[4] ; Kociok-Kohn, Gabriele ^[4] ; Boldrin Zanoni, Maria Valnice ^{[1, 3]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Chem, UNESP, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Bath, Dept Chem, Bath BA2 7AY, Avon - England

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Natl Inst Alternat Technol Detect Toxicol Evaluat, Inst Chem, UNESP, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Bath, Mat & Chem Characterisat Facil MC2, Bath BA2 7AY, Avon - England

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Applied Surface Science; v. 527, OCT 15 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

Indirect photoelectrochemical processes are possible when employing a palladium film to separate photochemical and electrochemical reactions. Here, an exploratory indirect photoelectrochemical system is developed based on ZnO or Pt@ZnO nanoparticle photocatalysts ambiently deposited onto platinum, glassy carbon, or palladium membrane electrodes and exposed to blue (385 nm) LED light in the presence of glucose hole quencher (in aqueous NaCl). It is demonstrated that under these conditions photo-excitation followed by charge transport of conduction band electrons via inter-grain conduction across ZnO particles triggers the photo-current responses. The conduction band electrons then trigger formation of interstitial hydrogen in a palladium membrane. Transport of the hydrogen across the palladium membrane into the electrochemical compartment occurs within 1-2 min of switching on the light. A proof-of-principle fuel cell with oxygen gas diffusion electrode (cathode) and indirect photo-anode is shown to operate with up to 28 mu W cm(-2) power output during illumination. Important power-limiting parameters and suggestions for future improvements are discussed. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/07020-3 - Preparação, caracterização e aplicação de eletrodos modificados com polímero de microporosidade intrínseca (PMI) na captura e redução de CO2 por processos foto(eletro)catálico trifásico.
• Beneficiário: Kallyni Irikura
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Pós-Doutorado