Journal article
Bioinspired molecular co-catalysts bonded to a silicon photocathode for solar hydrogen evolution
Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark1
Haldor Topsoe AS2
Surface Physics and Catalysis, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark3
Technical University of Denmark4
Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark5
Technology and Innovation Management, Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark6
Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark7
Computational Atomic-scale Materials Design, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark8
Stanford University9
The production of fuels from sunlight represents one of the main challenges in the development of a sustainable energy system. Hydrogen is the simplest fuel to produce and although platinum and other noble metals are efficient catalysts for photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution, earth-abundant alternatives are needed for large-scale use.
We show that bioinspired molecular clusters based on molybdenum and sulphur evolve hydrogen at rates comparable to that of platinum. The incomplete cubane-like clusters (Mo3S 4) efficiently catalyse the evolution of hydrogen when coupled to a p-type Si semiconductor that harvests red photons in the solar spectrum.
The current densities at the reversible potential match the requirement of a photoelectrochemical hydrogen production system with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in excess of 10% (ref. 16). The experimental observations are supported by density functional theory calculations of the Mo3S 4 clusters adsorbed on the hydrogen-terminated Si(100) surface, providing insights into the nature of the active site. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited.
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Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group UK |
Year: | 2011 |
Pages: | 434-438 |
ISSN: | 14764660 and 14761122 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1038/nmat3008 |
ORCIDs: | Vesborg, Peter Christian Kjærgaard , Setti, Alessandro M. , Damsgaard, Christian Danvad , Pedersen, Thomas , Hansen, Ole and Chorkendorff, Ib |