New Publication - Horn, S. et al. 2026

Ulm University

Scanning Photoelectrochemical Microscopy for the Investigation of Local Photocatalytic H2 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, and Christine Kranz

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c26195

 

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.