Photo-Electrocatalys­is

Conjugated acetylenic polymers

Hydrogen, the “fuel of the future” with its very high energy density (120 MJ/kg), is envisioned as a valid solution to the present energy crisis following the exhaustion of fossil fuels and their negative impact on climate. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology for hydrogen production exploiting the inexhaustible solar energy and the electrolysis of water. So far, PEC HER photocathode materials, such as the visible-light responsive inorganic metal oxides, transition-metal dichalcogenides, and metal sulphides, have been hampered for practical and widespread implementation due to their need of co-catalyst (e.g. Pt) with high costs, increased photocorrosion,and challenges to modulate their electronic properties.
Recently, synthetic organic materials, such as polythiophenes, graphitic carbon nitrides, and conjugated acetylenic polymers, have emerged as an exciting class of photocathode materials due to their fascinating peculiarities. The delocalized electron system, the broader absorption of the solar spectrum (narrower band gap), molecular-level tunability of band gap and energy level positions, facile synthesis, and low-cost processing are amongst the main advantages.

Further information can be found in:

• Borelli et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021
• Ly et al., Chem. Comm. 2021