Activation of silicon surfaces for H-2 evolution by electrografting of pyridine molecules

作者：Li Qi; Schoenleber Konrad; Zeller Patrick; Hoehlein Ignaz; Rieger Bernhard; Wintterlin Joost; Krischer Katharina^*

来源：Surface Science, 2015, 631: 185-189.

DOI：10.1016/j.susc.2014.07.007

• Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)
• Semiconductor electrochemistry
• Functionalized silicon surface

In this work we describe an electrografting procedure for the preparation of pyridine-functionalized Si(111) surfaces, and we demonstrate that this modified surface reduces the overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction by about 400 mV compared to the H-terminated Si surface. Thus, evidence is presented that the functionalized Si surface has a catalytic activity for an inner sphere electrochemical reaction and might be an attractive alternative to metal or metal oxide cluster-covered semiconductors in photoelectrochemical devices converting solar energy into chemical energy.

• 出版日期2015-1