Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation by Vesicle-Embedded [FeFe]Hydrogenase Mimics: A Mechanistic Study.

ABSTRACT: Artificial photosynthesis-the direct photochemical generation of hydrogen from water-is a promising but scientifically challenging future technology. Because nature employs membranes for photodriven reactions, the aim of this work is to elucidate the effect of membranes on artificial photocatalysis. To do so, a combination of electrochemistry, photocatalysis, and time-resolved spectroscopy on vesicle-embedded [FeFe]hydrogenase mimics, driven by a ruthenium tris-2,2'-bipyridine photosensitizer, is reported. The membrane effects encountered can be summarized as follows: the presence of vesicles steers the reactivity of the [FeFe]-benzodithiolate catalyst towards disproportionation, instead of protonation, due to membrane characteristics, such as providing a constant local effective pH, and c

SUBMITTER: Becker R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6899470 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature