Photoelectrochemistry of mesoporous NiO electrodes in Iodide/Triiodide electrolytes

Mesoporous NiO electrodes were used in photoelectrochemical cells using iodide/triiodide-based redox electrolytes. Cathodic photocurrents were found upon visible light excitation. These photocurrents were enhanced when coumarin 343 dye was adsorbed at the NiO surface or when a unanchored dye (coumarin 337) was added to the electrolyte. The proposed reaction for photocurrent generation is as follows: in the absence of dyes, excitation of triiodide leads to the generation of diiodide radicals, which subsequently accept electrons from the NiO electrode. Enhanced photocurrent generation in the presence of dyes is possibly due to energy transfer from excited dye molecules to triiodide. Charge transport studies of C343-sensitized NiO suggest that hole transport in mesoporous NiO is due to hopping of positive charge between Ni-surface atoms.