DataVXACS Applied Materials & InterfacesPaper
journal article·2026-05-13Open access

Scanning Photoelectrochemical Microscopy for the Investigation of Local Photocatalytic H 2 Evolution in Matrixed Langmuir Films

Sarah Horn, Giada Caniglia, Sarah Jasmin Finkelmeyer, Gregor Neusser, Charlotte Mankel, Benedikt Bagemihl, Sven Rau, Christof Neumann, Andrey Turchanin, Riccarda Müller, Kerstin Leopold, Sidra Akther, Andrea Pannwitz, Stefan Zechel, Martin D. Hager, Ulrich S. Schubert, Moritz Jahn, Carsten Streb, Martin Presselt, Christine Kranz

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces· Volume 18· Issue 18
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Abstract

Molecule-in-matrix systems such as Langmuir films with photosensitizers and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts may exhibit heterogeneity in photocatalytic activity across large-area films. Here, we introduce a confined illumination approach and simultaneous localized detection of light-driven hydrogen (H2) evolution to directly correlate information on structural organization with catalytic performance of Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaefer films with incorporated [Mo3S13]2- catalyst and a Ru-based photosensitizer. Derived from a coating of optical fibers used in scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), the outside of the glass sheath of the microelectrode was modified with a silver coating. Coupling light into the coated glass sheath, local illumination with suppressed light loss, and visible light excitation directly beneath the microsensor apex could be achieved, resulting in a 3.4-fold higher photon flux density compared to the uncovered microelectrode. Using platinum-black-modified microelectrodes as sensitive H2 microsensors, a bifunctional probe serving simultaneously as a local light waveguide and an H2 microsensor, enables quantitative detection of photogenerated H2 with spatial resolution. This is demonstrated here for films comprising a phospholipid matrix or a π-conjugated rigid molecular scaffold coembedding Ru-based photosensitizers and [Mo3S13]2- catalysts. This enables not only the local quantification of H2, but also the determination of the apparent quantum efficiencies (AQEs) of the different film architectures.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

Ceramics & glassesCatalysis & surfaces

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Iron oxide chemistry and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Institute of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany

Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, Jena 07745, Germany

Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, Jena 07743, Germany

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany

Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstrasse 10, Jena 07743, Germany

Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7a, Jena 07743, Germany

Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, Jena 07743, Germany

Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (IAAC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstraße 8, Jena 07743, Germany

Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications Jena (HIPOLE Jena), Lessingstraße 12−14, Jena 07743, Germany

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, Berlin 14109, Germany

Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany

Sciclus GmbH & Co. KG, Moritz-von-Rohr-Str. 1a, Jena 07745, Germany

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

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