Improvement of Z-scheme photocatalysis based on control of electron transfer utilizing electrochemical techniques

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05240
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 36020:Energy-related chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2022-2023); Tohoku University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Kumagai Hiromu 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 特任准教授 (80761311)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 半導体光触媒 / 人工光合成 / 電気化学 / 電子伝達 / Zスキーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The study focused on deepening knowledge of the transfer process of photoexcited electrons between photocatalysts, which is assumed to be a bottleneck in improving the activity and functionality of artificial photosynthesis-type Z-scheme photocatalytic systems. Electron transfer redox mediators with varying potentials were synthesized, and the difference in photocatalytic activity using these regents was investigated. In addition, an analytical method to directly evaluate the electron transfer process using electrochemical measurement was developed. Combining these findings established the evaluation method that serves as the basis for building design guidelines for highly functional photocatalytic systems.

Free Research Field

光エネルギー変換

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

無尽蔵な太陽光のエネルギーを用いた化学資源の創出は、持続可能なエネルギー利用と将来の炭素循環型社会の実現に向けた重要な課題の一つである。2種の半導体光触媒と電子伝達剤を組み合わせた2光子励起（Zスキーム）型の光触媒系はエネルギー蓄積（人工光合成）型の物質変換反応系として期待されている。本研究ではその機能向上を目的として、光触媒間の光励起電子の伝達過程に着目をした開発を行った。