Photoelectrochemical energy conversion using hybrid photoelectrodes

Abstract

We demonstrated the basil sensitized hybrid photoelectrodes for photocurrents and fuel generation. Hybrid photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) were proposed for direct solar energy conversion. The biohybrid device allows tunable control of energy conversion through the chemically stable photoelectrode. Biohybrid PEC was prepared by integrating organic and inorganic layers on fluorine doped tin oxide substrate. This integrated assembly produces electricity upon the illumination of visible light and drives overall water splitting reaction to generate solar fuel. The basil layer enhances the overall absorption with wide spectrum range and hence, a strong increment in generation of photocurrent is observed in the biohybrid PEC device. This hybrid PEC device can also be used to generate solar fuels and solar power.