Co-reporter:Yan Shi;Ting Su;Liang Li;Jia Yu;Ruiqing Fan ;Yulin Yang
ChemSusChem 2016 Volume 9( Issue 12) pp:1498-1503
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/cssc.201600067
Abstract
Fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared through bottom-up synthesis, which possess excitation wavelength-dependent photoluminescence properties upon excitation by near visible light. For the first time, CQDs were incorporated into N719-sensitized TiO2 photoelectrodes as the electron-transport medium, presenting dual contributions to the photo-to-electrical energy conversion: 1) spectral response compensation for the dye-sensitized TiO2 film at around 400 nm was successfully observed in the incident photon-to-current conversion measurements; and 2) intensity modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy showed that the electron transport time, charge collection efficiency, and electron diffusion length in the TiO2 electrode were all improved after CQDs incorporation. An example of using the CQDs- containing photoanode in a solar cell device resulted in enhancements of 32 % and 21 % for the short-circuit current density and photo-to-electrical conversion efficiency, respectively.
Co-reporter:Dr. Yong Na;Peicheng Wei ;Dr. Li Zhou
Chemistry - A European Journal 2016 Volume 22( Issue 30) pp:10365-10368
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201600541
Abstract
A diiron dithiolate complex 1 containing 1,8-naphthalic anhydride bridge was prepared, which possessed the lowest reduction potential for the synthetic diiron complexes modeled on the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenase reported so far. For the first time, oxidative quenching of the excited Ru(bpy)32+* through electron transfer to a bio-inspired [2Fe2S] complex was corroborated. Hydrogen evolution, driven by visible light, was successfully observed for a three-component system, consisting of Ru(bpy)32+, complex 1, and EDTA as electron donor in aqueous/organic media. These results provide a basis and also opportunity to develop a photo water splitting system employing Fe-based catalysts without sacrificial electron donors.
Co-reporter:Liguo Wei, Yong Na, Yulin Yang, Ruiqing Fan, Ping Wang and Liang Li
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2015 vol. 17(Issue 2) pp:1273-1280
Publication Date(Web):25 Nov 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4CP04240A
2,6-Bis[1-(phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (M0) and its derivatives containing methyl groups on their phenyl rings (M1o, M1p and M2) are employed as co-sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The prepared co-sensitizers could alleviate the aggregation of ruthenium dye N719 on the TiO2 film, enhance the spectral responses of the co-sensitized TiO2 film in the region from 400 to 750 nm, suppress the electron recombination, prolong the electron lifetime and decrease the total resistance of DSSCs. The number and position of the methyl groups are two key factors that play important roles in the performances of DSSCs. The optimized cell device co-sensitized by the M1p/N719 dye gives a short circuit current density of 16.48 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 0.72 V and a fill factor of 0.62 corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.32% under standard global AM 1.5 solar irradiation, which is 35% higher than that of a device solely sensitized by N719 under the same conditions.
Co-reporter:Yong Na, Bo Hu, Qiu-Ling Yang, Jian Liu, Li Zhou, Rui-Qing Fan, Yu-Lin Yang
Chinese Chemical Letters 2015 Volume 26(Issue 1) pp:141-144
Publication Date(Web):January 2015
DOI:10.1016/j.cclet.2014.09.011
CdS sensitized NiO electrode was used as the photoactive cathode in a photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting, avoiding the use of a sacrificial electron donor. Photocurrent increment under visible light irradiation was observed after integration of [Co(dmgH)2(4-Me-py)Cl] (1) to the photocathode, suggesting 1 could accept electrons from photoexcited CdS for water reduction and NiO could move the holes in the valence band of CdS to anode for water oxidation.Cobalt catalyst 1 was integrated to CdS sensitized NiO photocathode in photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) for water splitting without sacrificial electron donors. Photocurrent increment in PEC system was demonstrated under visible light irradiation.
Co-reporter:Peicheng Wei, Bo Hu, Li Zhou, Ting Su, Yong Na
Journal of Energy Chemistry (May 2016) Volume 25(Issue 3) pp:345-348
Publication Date(Web):1 May 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.jechem.2016.03.020
In order to develop a new strategy to deposit nano-particle sized water oxidation catalyst based on earth abundant element to the photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting, Co3O4 as water oxidation catalyst was prepared and subsequently modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The amino functionalized Co3O4 catalyst was carefully characterized and then integrated to the ruthenium dye sensitized photoelectrode through fast Schiff base reaction. Cyclic voltammetry experiments in the dark confirmed that the modified Co3O4 catalyst was still active toward water oxidation, which could be initiated by oxidation of the ruthenium photosensitizer. Under visible light irradiation, incorporation of the modified Co3O4 catalyst resulted in dramatic enhancement of the transient photocurrent density for the photoanode, which was 8 times higher than that of without Co3O4 catalyst.A bi-functional organic chain can be employed to incorporate nano-particle sized water oxidation catalyst into photoanode in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell. Download full-size image
Co-reporter:Liguo Wei, Yong Na, Yulin Yang, Ruiqing Fan, Ping Wang and Liang Li
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2015 - vol. 17(Issue 2) pp:NaN1280-1280
Publication Date(Web):2014/11/25
DOI:10.1039/C4CP04240A
2,6-Bis[1-(phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (M0) and its derivatives containing methyl groups on their phenyl rings (M1o, M1p and M2) are employed as co-sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The prepared co-sensitizers could alleviate the aggregation of ruthenium dye N719 on the TiO2 film, enhance the spectral responses of the co-sensitized TiO2 film in the region from 400 to 750 nm, suppress the electron recombination, prolong the electron lifetime and decrease the total resistance of DSSCs. The number and position of the methyl groups are two key factors that play important roles in the performances of DSSCs. The optimized cell device co-sensitized by the M1p/N719 dye gives a short circuit current density of 16.48 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 0.72 V and a fill factor of 0.62 corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.32% under standard global AM 1.5 solar irradiation, which is 35% higher than that of a device solely sensitized by N719 under the same conditions.
