Enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of visible light-responsive TiO2 photoanode for separate-type Pt-free photofuel cells by Rh3+ addition

Visible light-responsive TiO 2 (Vis-TiO 2 ) electrode has been applied for the Pt-free separate-type photofuel cell (SPFC) where two different electrolytes containing various biomass derivatives and a I 3 − /I − redox solution were employed for the anode and cathode sides, respectively. This new SPFC exhibits good photoelectrochemical performance under simulated solar-light irradiation. It was found that the Rh 3+ loading on Vis-TiO 2 electrode enhanced the photoelectrochemical performance of the SPFC through the increase in the visible light absorption as well as the increase in the electron conductivity of Vis-TiO 2 electrode.