title: Inner Layer Control of Performance in a Dye-Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cell.
abstract: Interfacial charge transfer and core-shell structures play important roles in dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells (DSPEC) for water splitting into H2and O2. An important element in the design of the photoanode in these devices is a core/shell structure which controls local electron transfer dynamics. Here, we introduce a new element, an internal layer of Al2O3lying between the Sb:SnO2/TiO2layers in a core/shell electrode which can improve photocurrents by up to 300%. In these structures, the results of photocurrent, transient absorption, and linear scan voltammetry measurements point to an important role for the Al2O3layer in controlling internal electron transfer within the core/shell structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Degao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Byron H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Farnum
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Seth L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Marquard
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9571-5065
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7006-2608
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
keywords: atomic layer deposition; core−shell; dye-sensitized photoelectron transfer synthesis cell; pinholes