Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride with photo-attached platinum nanoparticles of typically 2.5 nm diameter, Pt@g-C3N4, is known for photo-generation of hydrogen in aqueous environments and in the presence of hole quenchers. Here, the generation of photocurrents from photo‑hydrogen production is observed at a platinum electrode, driven by oxalate or glucose hole quenchers, and enhanced with a polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-1 coated over the Pt@g-C3N4 deposit. The ability of PIM-1 to create triphasic conditions and to capture hydrogen leads to enhanced photocurrent responses, even in the presence of ambient oxygen. Effects are discussed in terms of triphasic solid|liquid|hydrogen gas-based electrode processes. A glucose-concentration-dependent (super-Langmuirian) photo-response is observed. Possible applications are proposed in glucose sensing and in hydrogen-mediated photovoltaics.
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•Triphasic photo-electrode enhanced with polymer of intrinsic microporosity•Hydrogen-mediated photo-anode avoiding charge carrier transport•Room temperature processing to give photo-anode•Glucose-concentration-dependent photo-responses