James Durrant discusses the potential importance of both electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting in society’s transition to more sustainable energy systems.

Electrocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Pathway

Water oxidation catalysis is a key challenge for both electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems for green hydrogen synthesis from water. The water oxidation reaction is both thermodynamically and kinetically challenging, with the overpotential required to drive this reaction often being a key determinant of device performance. In this talk, Professor James Durrant discusses the potential importance of both electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting in society’s transition to more sustainable energy systems. He goes on to talk about the potential of operando optical spectroelectrochemistry to analyse the redox reaction in metal oxides electrodes and photoelectrodes. He also gives examples of the insights gained from operando spectroelectrochemistry into the design and function of a selection of materials, including Iridium Oxide and Nickel/Iron Oxyhydroxide electrocatalysts, as well as Hematite, Bismuth vanadate and Strontium Titanate photoelectrodes/photocatalysts.

James talking about his interest in artificial photosynthesis and what it exactly it means,challenges needed to overcome to in order to produce molecular fuels that can compete with fossil fuels, will the developed countries be carbon-free by 2050.

James giving interview to University of Colombo

 Professor James  Durrant talking about his interest in artificial photosynthesis and what it exactly it means,challenges needed to overcome to in order to produce molecular fuels that can compete with fossil fuels, will the developed countries be carbon-free by 2050.

Charge accumulation kinetics in multi-redox molecular catalysts on TiO2 for solar fuels generation

Charge accumulation kinetics in photoelectrodes

Published on October 2020, Online NanoGe Fall conference 
 
'Charge accumulation kinetics in multi-redox molecular catalysts on TiO2 for solar fuels generationpresented by Carlota Bozal-Ginesta about the paper Chem. Sci.  2021, 1, 12, 946-959.
Professor James Durrant talking about the solar driven synthesis of sustainable fuels: Photochemistry, in CINE WEBNAR, June 2020

The solar driven synthesis of sustainable fuels

Published on June 23, 2020, CINE WEBINAR

Professor James Durrant talks on the particular challenge of the solar driven synthesis of fuels and chemicals, and its potential role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. He also reviews approaches to artificial photosynthesis, and the lessons which can be learnt from biological photosynthesis, as well as challenges and opportunities for photovoltaics plus electrolysis.

Professor James Durrant talking about Organic solar Cells in HOPV2020 online seminar

Introduction to Organic Solar cells

Published on June 8, 2020, HOPV2020

Professor James Durrant talks about background of the organic solar cell with introduction includes the efficiency advances in  organic solar cells with the ITIC and Y6 NFA's, compare charge carrier dynamics in organic and perovskite solar cells and talks about the energetics in organic solar cells.

Sacha Corby talking about her paper "Charge Separation, Band-Bending, and Recombination in WO3 Photoanodes" published in J. Phy Chem.lett.,August, 2019

Sacha Corby

Sacha Corby talking about her paper "Charge Separation, Band-Bending, and Recombination in WO3 Photoanodes

Published on August 2019, Phy.Chem.Lett

Abstract

In metal oxide-based photoelectrochemical devices, the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes is typically attributed to band-bending at the oxide/electrolyte interface. However, direct evidence of such band-bending impacting upon charge carrier lifetimes has been very limited to date. Herein we use ultrafast spectroscopy to track the rapid relaxation of holes in the space-charge layer and their recombination with trapped electrons in WO3 photoanodes. We observe that applied bias can significantly increase carrier lifetimes on all time scales from picoseconds to seconds and attribute this to enhanced band-bending correlated with changes in oxygen vacancy state occupancy. We show that analogous enhancements in carrier lifetimes can be obtained by changes in electrolyte composition, even in the absence of applied bias, highlighting routes to improve photoconversion yields/performance, through changes in band-bending. This study thus demonstrates the direct connection between carrier lifetime enhancement, increased band-bending, and oxygen vacancy defect state occupancy.
A showcase of early stage climate mitigation technologies, in the yearly IBP discussion on climate change, in collaboration with the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment and the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London.

Next generation in PV technologies

 Professor James Durrant talking about next generation PV technologies in a  showcase of early stage climate mitigation technologies, in the yearly IBP discussion on climate change, in collaboration with the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment and the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London.