Heterogeneous Photoelectrochemical WOR Using Meta-Chemical Surface Electrodes with [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH ₂ )](ClO ₄ ) ₂

This study presents the development of a heterogeneous photoelectrochemical system using the known water oxidation catalyst [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl), which was patterned on meta-chemical surface (MCS) electrodes, using the DPN (dip-pen nanolithography) technique. The MCS electrodes demonstrate higher currents and turnover frequencies (kcat) compared to their coated counterparts and the homogeneous system under dark conditions and 475 nm illumination, pointing out higher efficiency in water oxidation. The results highlight the effectiveness of MCS electrodes in improving electrode performance (kcat equal to 1903 s–1 and 989 s–1 at dark and light conditions, respectively). These results advance the continuous development of water-splitting technologies and help advance hydrogen as a practical alternative energy source.