Stable electrocatalysts for autonomous photoelectrolysis of hydrobromic acid using single-junction solar cells

Abstract

Metal sulfides that are stable in bromine were investigated as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution in a photoelectrochemical device converting HBr to H₂(g) and Br₂(l). The photoanode was stabilized against photocorrosion using a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly-(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) coating. Low loadings of rhodium sulfide nanoparticles were used as cathode electrocatalyst in place of platinum resulting in substantial improvement in the performance of a GaAs-based photosynthetic cell.