Molybdenum Complex as Potential Photosensitiser for Direct Water Splitting

Abstract

Mononuclearmolybdenum complex with the general formula [MoTp*(NO)I(X)], where Tp* =tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hidroborate and X =1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylethynyl)benzene) was found to exhibit the required chemical and physical properties as a photosensitiser in photoelectrochemical cell. The complex was structurally characterised by infrared, UV-Vis and electrochemical analysis. TiO2 electrode films were prepared by paste technique and characterised by SEM and XRD. Photoelectrochemical properties of [MoTp*(NO)I(X)]-sensitisedTiO2 photoelectrode were carried out in 1.0 M NaOH electrolyte with a SCE reference electrode and a platinum counter electrode. The [MoTp*(NO)I(X)]-sensitised TiO2 photoelectrode showed positive photoinduced current compared to unsensitised TiO2 photoelectrode.