Promoting the photoanode efficiency for water splitting by combining hematite and molecular Ru catalysts

Most implementations of the photoanode for water splitting are based on semiconductors and inorganic catalysts, wherein the surface defect and the grain boundary of inorganic materials have been a major barrier hindering the charge transfer between the light absorber and the catalyst. Here we report a new type of photoanode for water splitting, featuring the combination of α-Fe2O3 and molecular Ru catalysts. Fabricated by self-assembly, the semiconductor/molecule interface is not only efficient for the light-induced charge separation but also highly catalytic toward the water oxidation reaction. This work opens a new avenue for improving the efficiency of the solar-to-fuel conversion.

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► A new type of photoanode combining hematite and Ru molecular catalysts
► The semiconductor/molecule heterojunction facilitates the light-induced charge separation.
► The catalytic activity of the molecular catalyst toward the water oxidation reaction is tunable.