In this work, Co-based cocatalysts are electrodeposited on mesoporous Ta₃N₅ nanotubes. The electrodeposition time is varied and the optimized photoelectrode reaches a photocurrent density of 6.3 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. SHE, under simulated solar illumination of 1 Sun, in 1 M NaOH. The best performing electrode, apart from the high photocurrent density, shows improved stability under intense photoelectrochemical water splitting conditions. The dual function of the cocatalyst to improve not only the photoelectrochemical performance, but also the stability, is highlighted. Moreover, we adopted a simple protocol to assess the toxicity of Co and Ta contained nanostructured materials (representing used photoelectrodes) employing the human cell line HeLa S3 as target cells.

在这项工作中，Co基助催化剂被电沉积在介孔Ta ₃ N ₅纳米管上。改变电沉积时间，优化的光电极达到6.3 mA / cm ²的光电流密度在1.23 V vs. SHE的条件下，在1 M NaOH中在1个太阳的模拟太阳光照下。除高光电流密度外，性能最佳的电极在强烈的光化学水分解条件下显示出更高的稳定性。助催化剂的双重功能不仅改善了光电化学性能，而且改善了稳定性。此外，我们采用了一种简单的方案来评估以人类细胞系HeLa S3为靶细胞的Co和Ta所含纳米结构材料（代表用过的光电极）的毒性。