Molecular phocatodes and photoanodes for light driven water splitting

Identifier:  TDX:2989

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2989

Authors:  Grau Abarca, Sergi

Abstract:
Artificial photosynthesis is a process where a molecule of water is split into molecular oxygen and hydrogen. This process produces a solar fuel (hydrogen gas) from water and sunlight and it is considered a promising clean and sustainable alternative to the traditional fossil fuels. The objective of this thesis is the synthesis and study of cobalt catalysts active for hydrogen evolution reaction, as well as the preparation of electrodes and photoelectrodes active for the reduction and water oxidation of water with the lowest energy consumption. In this thesis, cobalt hydrogen evolution catalysts have been synthetized and studied allowing us to determine the limiting factors of the reaction and its mechanism. In addition, active electrodes modified with with graphene functionalized with a molecular catalyst have been prepared. Finally, photoanodes and photocathodes active for the oxidation and reduction of water, respectively, that work below the thermodynamic potential under sunlight have been prepared.