Versatile photocatalytic systems for H2 generation in water based on an efficient DuBois-type nickel catalyst.

ABSTRACT: The generation of renewable H2 through an efficient photochemical route requires photoinduced electron transfer (ET) from a light harvester to an efficient electrocatalyst in water. Here, we report on a molecular H2 evolution catalyst (NiP) with a DuBois-type [Ni(P2(R')N2(R"))2](2+) core (P2(R')N2(R") = bis(1,5-R'-diphospha-3,7-R"-diazacyclooctane), which contains an outer coordination sphere with phosphonic acid groups. The latter functionality allows for good solubility in water and immobilization on metal oxide semiconductors. Electrochemical studies confirm that NiP is a highly active electrocatalyst in aqueous electrolyte solution (overpotential of approximately 200 mV at pH 4.5 with a Faradaic yield of 85 ± 4%). Photocatalytic experiments and investigations on the ET kinetics were ca

SUBMITTER: Gross MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3901378 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature