Photoelectrochemical Properties of BODIPY-Sensitized Anodic TiO2 Layers Decorated with AuNPs for Enhanced Solar Performance

Abstract

An efficient hybrid photoanode based on the anodic TiO2 layer covered with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and BODIPY (boradiazaindacene) microrods for solar-driven water splitting experiments was developed. The BODIPY derivative (B-1) was synthesized, and their stability in different solvents was characterized in order to prepare the heterojunction photoelectrode. An insight into materials’ properties was gained by evaluating their morphology, optical, semiconducting, and photoelectrochemical performance. By combining the unique morphology of anodic TiO2 nanotubes with the electron trapping abilities of AuNPs and the light absorption properties of the BODIPY dye, a novel heterojunction photoanode generating 15 times higher photocurrent (∼120 μA cm-2) than pristine anodic TiO2 (∼8 μA cm-2) was obtained.