Organic Semiconductor Bulk Heterojunctions for Solar-driven Water Splitting
Kevin Sivula a
a Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Optoelectronic Nanomaterials (LIMNO), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), , Switzerland, Station 6, CH-1015 Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Materials for Sustainable Development Conference (MATSUS)
Proceedings of MATSUS Spring 2024 Conference (MATSUS24)
#PhotoMat - Advances in Photo-driven Energy Conversion and Storage: From Nanoscale Materials to Sustainable Solutions
Barcelona, Spain, 2024 March 4th - 8th
Organizers: Michelle Browne, Bahareh Khezri and Katherine Villa
Invited Speaker, Kevin Sivula, presentation 052
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2024.052
Publication date: 18th December 2023

Organic semiconductors are gaining prominence as promising materials for heterogeneous photocatalytic (PC) solar fuel production due to their molecular tunability and scalable processability. Notably, bulk heterojunction (BHJ) nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized through a mini-emulsion approach, have proven to be high-performance and cost-effective photocatalysts for solar hydrogen production under sacrificial conditions. Despite their success, the factors crucial for optimizing the performance of these BHJ NPs remain poorly understood. This presentation delves into the intricacies of BHJ-based systems, drawing insights from photoelectrochemical measurements and model photocatalysts. It highlights the significance of co-catalyst loading and particle formation methods, unraveling their impact on the stability and overall water-splitting ability of BHJ NPs. In particular, the importance of controlling the nucleation and growth of the Pt co-catalyst on the BHJ surface is highlighted. By elucidating this critical factor and others, the presentation paves the way for a more comprehensive understanding of BHJ-based NP systems, aiming to enhance their efficiency and durability in the realm of solar fuel production.  

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