A molybdenum dithiolene complex as a potential photosensitiser for photoelectrochemical cells

作者：Mark Lee Wun Fui; Kim Hang Ng; Minggu Lorna Jeffery; Umar Akrajas Ali; Kassim Mohammad B^*

来源：International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2013, 38(22): 9578-9584.

DOI：10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.12.015

• Photosensitiser
• Molybdenum dithiolene
• Band gap
• tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydroborate
• Photoelectrochemical cell

Molybdenum dithiolene complexes with the general formula [MoTp*(NO)(L)], where Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydroborate and L = toluene-3,4-dithiolate (L1), 1,2-benzenedithiolate (L2), or 3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate (L3), were found to exhibit the chemical and physical properties required for a photosensitiser in a photoelectrochemical cell. These complexes were characterised using micro-elemental, spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis) and electrochemical analyses. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine the oxidation/reduction potentials and to calculate the energy band gap. All of the complexes had an energy band gap in the range 1.45-1.48 eV, which extends far into the visible light region. A TiO2 thin film to be used as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical cells was prepared using the paste technique on a Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) plate and characterised using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The [MoTp*(NO)(L)]-doped TiO2 photoanodes were analysed photochemically in a 1.0 M NaOH electrolyte solution using SCE reference and platinum counterelectrodes. The [MoTp*(NO)(L3)]-doped TiO2 photoanode exhibited an increased photoinduced current compared with the undoped TiO2 photoanode. The Cl atoms on the dithiolene group offered a better interaction between the photosensitiser molecule and the TiO2 photocatalyst by providing a means for halogen atom-induced chemical bonding. Based on the band edge calculations and the subsequent photocurrent results, these complexes may be potential photosensitisers for use in the preparation of photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical cells.

• 出版日期2013-7-26