Electrolyte Engineering Stabilizes Photoanodes Decorated with Molecular Catalysts

Molecular catalysts are promising oxygen evolution promoters in conjunction with photoanodes for solar water splitting. Maintaining the stability of both photoabsorber and cocatalyst is still a prime challenge, with many efforts tackling this issue through sophisticated material designs. Such approaches often mask the importance of the electrode-electrolyte interface and overlook easily tunable system parameters, such as the electrolyte environment, to improve efficiency. We provide a systematic study on the activity-stability relationship of a prominent Fe2O3 photoanode modified with Ir molecular catalysts using in situ mass spectroscopy. After gaining detailed insights into the dissolution behavior of the Ir cocatalyst, a comprehensive pH study is conducted to probe the impact of the electrolyte on the performance. An inverse trend in Fe and Ir stability is found, with the best activity-stability synergy obtained at pH 9.7. The results bring awareness to the overall photostability and electrolyte engineering when advancing catalysts for solar water splitting.

Automated summary

Molecular catalysts and photoanodes are promising for solar water splitting, but maintaining their stability is a challenge. This study investigates the relationship between activity and stability of an Fe2O3 photoanode modified with Ir molecular catalysts using mass spectroscopy. The dissolution behavior of the Ir cocatalyst and the impact of electrolyte on the performance are studied. The results highlight the importance of overall photostability and electrolyte engineering in advancing catalysts for solar water splitting.