We report on a self-assembled system comprising a molecular copper-porphyrin photoelectrocatalyst, 5-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinatocopper(II) (CuTPP-COOH), covalently bound to self-organized, anodic titania nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTs) for photoelectrochemical reduction of oxygen. Visible light irradiation of the porphyrin-covered TiO2 NTs under cathodic polarization up to -0.3 V vs. Normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) photocatalytically produces H2O2 in pH neutral electrolyte, at room temperature and without need of sacrificial electron donors. The formation of H2O2 upon irradiation is proven and quantified by direct colorimetric detection using 4-nitrophenyl boronic acid (p-NPBA) as a reactant. This simple approach for the attachment of a small molecular catalyst to TiO2 NTs may ultimately allow for the preparation of a low-cost H2O2 evolving cathode for efficient photoelectrochemical energy storage under ambient conditions.
Keywords: copper; heterogeneous catalysis; hydrogen peroxide; oxygen reduction; photoelectrochemistry.