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Water Splitting Studies

Hydrogen and oxygen microsensors for direct and real-time detection of dissolved gas in photocatalytic/electrochemical studies

Hydrogen production at the surface of a semiconductor material

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising route to sustainable hydrogen production, but progress is often limited by the performance of photoabsorber materials. To explore new options, Jonathan Kampmann and coworkers at the University of Munich investigated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as a novel class of photoelectrodes. Using a Unisense H2-NP low range microsensor, the team detected nanomolar hydrogen concentrations evolving directly in solution at the COF surface under light illumination (Figure 1). The microsensor enabled continuous, sensitive detection of hydrogen formation, confirming the photoelectrochemical activity and stability of the oriented COF films. These findings demonstrate COFs as promising photoelectrodes for water splitting. Read more in: Sick et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 2085–2092. Data and photo kindly provided by Jonathan Kampmann
H2 Water splitting fig. 1_1400x800
Figure 1: Microsensor measurement of the H2 produced during illumination (left). H2-NPLR microsensor in the cuvette containing the active semiconducting material and water (right).

Hydrogen production catalyzed by organic polymer dots

Organic semiconductors have emerged as promising photocatalysts for light-driven hydrogen generation, offering metal-free structures, tunable optical properties, and material abundance. Dr. Haining Tian and his group at Uppsala University investigated polymer dots (Pdots) as photocatalysts for visible-light-driven water splitting.

Using a Unisense H2-NP low range microsensor with a detection limit of 50 nM, hydrogen evolution was monitored directly in aqueous Pdot suspensions by inserting the microsensor through the cuvette lid. Continuous and sensitive measurements confirmed that the Pdots efficiently catalyzed hydrogen production under visible light, achieving activity several orders of magnitude higher than pristine polymer material.

Importantly, the Pdots also demonstrated tolerance to oxygen, a key advantage for practical application. These results highlight Pdots as a highly effective class of photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.

Data and photo kindly provided by Dr. Haining Tian.

For further reading please see the article: Wang et al. Organic Polymer Dots as Photocatalysts for Visible Light-Driven Hydrogen Generation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016.

H2 Water splitting fig. 2a+b_1400x800
Figure 1: H2 generation over time measured with the Unisense H2-NPLR microsensor (left) and experimental setup showing the hydrogen microsensor pierced through the lid into the sample measuring the H2 generation (above).

Related Publications

Hollow polymer dots: Nature-mimicking architecture for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Liu, Aijie et al. (2019), Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 7, 4797-4803
Read more