Photoanode samples testing session at ICFO

Ruggero Bonetto, a researcher at the CatSyNanoMat group from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and partner of the SOREC2 project, spent a whole day last 26th of June at ICFO  conducting experiments in the laboratories of the Organic Nanostructured Photovoltaics group led by Jordi Martorell.

Accompanied by Aureliano Macili from the UAB SelOxCat research group, Ruggero aimed to measure photoanode samples under optimal conditions, in order to cross-compare the results obtained at the UAB labs. To achieve this, ICFO researcher Valentina Gacha guided the UAB team through the necessary sample preparation and testing procedures

The scientists tested bismuth vanadate samples functionalized with cobalt-silica and nickel catalytic ultrathin films grown on top of photoelectrodes provided by ICFO and University of Ferrara. The primary objective of the lab session was to evaluate the activity and stability of these photoanode in water oxidation using the photoelectrochemistry setup available at ICFO.

“We were able to gain valuable insights into the operation mechanism of our systems while working in reliable conditions,” said Ruggero. “We also had the opportunity to learn and practice with equipment and techniques that complement our chemistry lab expertise,” he added.

The next step involves an experimental session at the ALBA synchrotron to analyze some of these samples and characterize the photoelectrode materials using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).