Manganese Compounds as Water Oxidizing Catalysts in Artificial Photosynthesis

Abstract

Artificial photosynthesis is an umbrella term but it could be introduced as a research field that attempts to mimic the natural process of photosynthesis and uses sunlight to oxidizing and reducing different compounds. In this process, we could assume water as one of the compounds that could be reduced and (or) oxidized to hydrogen and (or) oxygen, respectively. Water splitting is the general term for a chemical reaction in which water is decomposed to oxygen and hydrogen (Pace, 2005). Production of hydrogen fuel from electrolysis of water would become a practical strategy if we could find a ‘’super catalyst’’ for water oxidation reaction (Bockris, 1977). Super catalyst means a stable, low cost, efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst. The water oxidation half reaction in water splitting is overwhelmingly rate limiting and needs high over-voltage (~1V) that results the low conversion efficiencies when working at current densities required, also at this high voltage, other chemicals will be oxidized and this would be environmentally unacceptable for large-scale hydrogen production (Bockris, 1977). Thus, a significant challenge in the sustainable hydrogen economy is to design a water oxidizing catalyst.