Stability of a pyrimidine-based dye-sensitized TiO2 photoanode in sacrificial electrolytes

Dye sensitization of semiconductor metal oxides aims to extend the light absorption range into visible region, particular interest for their use as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Organic dyes, however, suffer from limited chemical stability when they are exposed constant potential and irradiation aqueous media. Thus, this work, we evaluate a novel metal-free donor-?-acceptor (D-?-A) dye (AT-Pyri), demonstrating significant film based on TiO2 nanoparticles. Among series tested sacrificial agents, addition triethanolamine (TEOA) sodium sulphate electrolyte prevents degradation AT-Pyri even after several hours operation. Combining two agents (methanol TEOA) results synergetic improvement PEC water-splitting activity. Notably, stabilization photoanode is accompanied by substantial increase photocurrent over reference photoanode, while associated spikes transient measurements disappear.