High-performance photoelectrochemical cells based on a binuclear ruthenium catalyst for visible-light-driven water oxidation.

Two photoanodes based on a binuclear (2) and a mononuclear ruthenium (3) water oxidation catalysts were assembled in combination with a molecular photosensitizer (1) by using a co-adsorption method. The anodes were used in dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DS-PECs) for visible-light-driven water splitting. A DS-PEC device using TiO2 (1+2) as working electrode (WE) exhibits better performance than TiO2 (1+3) as WE in light-driven water splitting. Detailed photoelectrochemical studies on these DS-PEC devices are discussed.