Development of flexible water splitting photoelectrochemical cells using conductive photocatalytic ink

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19039
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 34:Inorganic/coordination chemistry, analytical chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Atsushi 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 准教授 (50437753)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 光触媒 / 色素増感 / 水素生成 / 疎水性相互作用 / 脂質二分子膜

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To enable the construction of light and flexible photoelectrodes through a mild and simple process, the aim of this study was to create photocatalytic inks by surface modification of visible photocatalytic nanoparticles. Photocatalytic nanoparticles with hydrophobic dyes were newly synthesised and dispersed on the phospholipid bilayers. This system can function as highly active hydrogen-evolution photocatalysts. As a further strategy for higher activity, a 'photoredox cascade catalyst' was successfully constructed by combining photosensitizing dye bilayers and a visible light transparent electron mediator. It was also found that hydrogen production with a quantum yield of 2.2% was achieved under conditions using a redox-reversible Co complex as the electron source for hydrogen production.

Free Research Field

光化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

疎水性光触媒ナノ粒子と脂質二分子膜を組み合わせることで、光触媒反応に好適な反応場を作り出す戦略は、本研究が新しく実証したものであり、光触媒の多用途化・大規模化における基盤的知見になり得る。同時に実証した色素と伝達剤を組み合わせた光レドックスカスケード触媒系は、光触媒活性を抜本的に向上させ得る新しい分子戦略として位置付けでき、次世代水素社会の実現に実質的に貢献できる戦略になり得ると期待できる。