| abstract |
Irradiating a film of a thiophene polymer that is a pure organic compound with light allows the thiophene polymer film to act as a light absorber and catalyst that produces hydrogen peroxide from water and water-dissolved air (oxygen) at extremely high efficiency, and this film can work in alkaline water in which a film of a general-purpose inexpensive water-oxidizing catalyst, which is used as a counter electrode, is active. Provided is an environmentally compatible and simple method for producing hydrogen peroxide at extremely high efficiency, including combining a film of a catalyst for light absorption and oxygen reduction that consists of a thiophene polymer with a catalyst for water oxidation, immersing the combination in alkaline water, and irradiating the light-absorbing oxygen reduction catalyst film with light. |