From Bio-inspired Catalysts for H2 Evolution to Photoelectrode Materials

Mimicking photosynthesis and producing solar fuels is an appealing way to store the huge amount of renewable energy from the sun in a durable and sustainable way. Hydrogen production through water splitting has been set as a primary target for artificial photosynthesis [1] which requires the development of efficient and stable catalytic systems, only based on earth abundant elements, for the reduction of protons from water to molecular hydrogen. We will report on our contribution to the development of various series of catalysts for H₂ evolution [2, 3] and show how their immobilization onto surfaces allows the preparation of highly active electrode materials compatible with existing PEM electrolysis technology [4]. Besides, we will also describe our effort towards the combination of such catalysts with various photoactive motifs for the preparation of photoelectrode materials [5-7] that can be implemented into photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for water splitting.

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[2] V. Artero and J.-M. Saveant, Energy Environ. Sci., 7 (2014) 3808.

[3] P.-A. Jacques, V. Artero, J. Pécaut and M. Fontecave, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 106 (2009) 20627.

[4] E.S. Andreiadis, P.-A. Jacques, P.D. Tran, A. Leyris, M. Chavarot-Kerlidou, B. Jousselme, M. Matheron, J. Pécaut, S. Palacin, M. Fontecave and V. Artero, Nat. Chem., 5 (2013) 48.

[5] W. Hamd, M. Chavarot-Kerlidou, J. Fize, G. Muller, A. Leyris, M. Matheron, E. Courtin, M. Fontecave, C. Sanchez, V. Artero and C. Laberty-Robert, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 1 (2013) 8217.

[6] T. Bourgeteau, D. Tondelier, B. Geffroy, R. Brisse, C. Laberty-Robert, S. Campidelli, R. de Bettignies, V. Artero, S. Palacin and B. Jousselme, Energy Environ. Sci., 6 (2013) 2706.

[7] J. Massin, M. Bräutigam, N. Kaeffer, N. Queyriuax, M.J. Field, F.H. Schacher, J. Popp, M. Chavarot-Kerlidou, B. Dietzek and V. Artero, Interface Focus, (2015) in press.