The effect of pH, concentration, and membrane thickness on the performance of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell using kraft lignin as a reactant was studied at 25 °C. Kraft lignin served as an electron donor which consumed photogenerated holes on the TiO₂ anode, while photogenerated electrons reduced protons to hydrogen gas at the Pt cathode. Saturated photocurrent increased linearly with UV intensity. High concentrations of kraft lignin reduced the photo-current of the cell. A high pH differential across the membrane could degrade a thin perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane. This study demonstrated the potential of kraft lignin as an electron donor.

中文翻译：

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木质素向氢的光电化学转化：木质素作为电子供体

在25°C下研究了pH，浓度和膜厚度对以硫酸盐木质素为反应物的光电化学（PEC）细胞性能的影响。硫酸盐木质素用作电子供体，消耗了TiO ₂阳极上的光生空穴，而光生电子在Pt阴极将质子还原为氢气。饱和光电流随紫外线强度线性增加。高浓度的硫酸盐木质素降低了细胞的光电流。整个膜的高pH差异可能会使薄的全氟磺酸（PFSA）膜降解。这项研究证明了牛皮纸木质素作为电子供体的潜力。