Efficient Water Oxidation Catalysts Research Articles

Synthesis and structural organization of ruthenium(IV) cluster Li8Ru2OCl14 and its catalytic properties in the water oxidation reaction

The synthesis of binuclear ruthenium(IV) oxochloride complex and reaction of the latter with LiCl in a 2.5 M HCl solution have been carried out. The reaction of Ru(IV) binding in solution leads to the formation of a new cluster compound Li8Ru2OCl14 (I) whose molecular structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are tetragonal, space group \(I\bar 42m\), a = 7.08 A, c = 17.00 A, V = 852.18 A3, Z = 2. Supramolecular structural self-organization of I includes the formation of layers parallel to the xy plane. The high thermal stability of complex I and retention of its dinuclear structure in an acidic environment have been shown by thermal analysis and IR and electronic spectroscopy. It has been found that cluster I is an efficient catalyst for water oxidation in artificial photosynthesis.

Highly Active MnO Catalysts Integrated onto Fe2O3 Nanorods for Efficient Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a critical area of research since it promises the efficient generation of solar energy within chemical fuels. The biggest technical barrier in realizing efficient PEC water splitting remains the integration of an efficient inexpensive catalyst for water oxidation. Herein, a solution based method to synthesize hematite nanorods treated with cobalt phosphate and MnO nanoparticles overlayers is demonstrated, which significantly improves the water oxidation efficiency for this photoanode material. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Nanosized CoWO4 and NiWO4 as efficient oxygen-evolving electrocatalysts

A main challenge to improve the performance of large scale energy technologies based on photo-driven or electricity-driven production of hydrogen from water is the development of efficient and economical water oxidation catalysts. Herein, we, for the first time, report the CoWO4 and NiWO4 nanoparticles as new highly efficient electrode materials for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. The study has shown that both the electrocatalysts efficiently evolve oxygen. At an overpotential (η) in the OER region, the oxygen evolution current density on CoWO4 was much higher than that on NiWO4. At the current density of 10mAcm−2 (per geometrical area) in 1M KOH, catalytic films of CoWO4 and NiWO4 on GC substrate produced η≈388 and 507mV, respectively. When the GC catalyst support was replaced by nickel one, the overpotential required to achieve the current density of 10mAcm−2 on CoWO4 (η ≈336mV) and NiWO4 (η≈363mV) electrodes decreased significantly. The OER has a low Tafel slope (≈2×2.3 RT/3F) on both catalysts and follows nearly second order kinetics with respect to OH− concentration, regardless of the nature of the support material. The catalytic films on Ni exhibited outstanding stability.

Conformational flexibility of xanthene‐based covalently linked dimers

The conformational flexibility of three covalently linked dimers consisting of two xanthene‐based moieties connected by a diphenyl ether linker was studied using NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The three dimers interconvert as a function of pH: the doubly cationic dimer (Xan+)2 exists in acidic solutions (pH < 0.5), the mono‐alcohol monocation Xan+–Xan‐OH at intermediate pH values (pH = 1–3), and the neutral diol at the highest pH‐values (pH > 3). Each dimer exhibits conformational degrees of freedom associated with rotations of either the xanthene moiety or of the diphenyl ether (DPE) linker. The barriers for rotation of the xanthylium moiety were evaluated using DFT calculations, yielding values of 23 kcal/mol for (Xan+)2 and 11 kcal/mol for (Xan‐OH)2, respectively. The rotational barrier for the diphenyl ether linker in Xan+–Xan‐OH (15 kcal/mol) was experimentally determined using variable temperature NMR measurements. The relative orientation of the two –OH groups in (Xan‐OH)2 diol was investigated in solution and the solid state using NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The conformer observed in the solid state was found to be the In–Out conformer, while free rotation of the xanthenol units is thought to occur on the NMR timescale at room temperature. These studies are relevant for the design of linkers for efficient water oxidation catalysts. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Highly Dispersed Cobalt Oxide on TaON as Efficient Photoanodes for Long-Term Solar Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical water splitting into H2 and O2 over a semiconductor-based photocatalyst offers a promising way to achieve the sustainable harvesting and storage of solar energy. However, short diffusion lengths and inefficient separation of the charge carriers in the semiconductors following light absorption result in fast recombination of holes and electrons and eventually poor performance. Herein, we address this problem by integrating an efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst, cobalt oxide (CoOx), into screen-printed TaON photoanodes premodified with TiO2 coatings for better stability. SEM, TEM, and ICP-MS analysis of the Co deposits and electrochemical techniques were used to demonstrate the advantages provided by the photoassisted CoOx electrodeposition method. Specifically, this method allows the selective and facile functionalization of the TiO2-TaON surface with a uniform layer of near-(hemi)spherical CoOx particles having a diameter of 5–15 nm. In comparison to the TiO2-TaON photoanod...

Computational Investigation and Design of Cobalt Aqua Complexes for Homogeneous Water Oxidation

We study the water oxidation mechanism of the cobalt aqua complex [Co(H2O)6]2+ in a photocatalytic setup by means of density functional theory. Assuming a water-nucleophilic-attack or radical coupling mechanism, we investigate how the oxidation state and spin configuration change during the catalytic cycle. In addition, different ligand environments are employed by substituting a water ligand with a halide, pyridine, or derivative thereof. This allows exploration of the effect of such ligands on the frontier orbitals and the thermodynamics of the water oxidation process. Moreover, the thermodynamically most promising water oxidation catalyst can be identified by comparing the computed free energy profiles to the one of an “ideal catalyst”. Examination of such simple (hypothetical) water oxidation catalysts provides a basis for the derivation of design guidelines, which are highly sought for the development of efficient homogeneous water oxidation catalysts.

(Invited) Hierarchical Inorganic Assemblies for the Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 By H2o

The multi-electron processes of CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation, which constitute the essential reactions of sunlight to fuel conversion (artificial photosynthesis) require efficient coupling of light absorber and catalyst. Using all-inorganic heterobinuclear units such as ZrOCo anchored on high surface area silica, we have developed photodeposition methods for the directional assembly of nanometer sized catalyst clusters for H2O oxidation or CO2 reduction with proper coupling to the binuclear light absorber. Copper oxide nanoclusters were assembled adjacent to the Zr acceptor sites of the heterobinuclear unit, and light driven reduction of CO2 upon excitation of the ZrOCo unit demonstrated. Illumination of the ZrOCo chromophore coupled to a metal oxide nanocatalyst for H2O oxidation affords closing of the photocatalytic cycle in the absence of sacrificial agents. Time resolved FT-IR spectroscopy provided detailed mechanistic insight into the multi-electron reactions of H2O oxidation and CO2 reduction on the metal oxide catalyst surfaces under reaction conditions, with surface intermediates and their kinetics uncovered for the first time. To achieve CO2 photoreduction by H2O under product separation on the nanoscale, Co3O4-SiO2 core-shell nanotubes were developed in which the inner surface acts as efficient water oxidation catalyst while the nanoscale silica layer with embedded molecular wires serves as a proton conducting, gas impermeable separation membrane with tight control of electron transport. Completing the photocatalytic cycle on the nanoscale seeks to minimize side reactions and efficiency degrading transport processes. Characterization of the assembly by transient spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical measurements will be discussed. References Zhang, M.; de Respinis, M.; Frei, H. Nature Chem. 2014, 6, 362. Kim, W.; Yuan, G.; McClure, B. A.; Frei, H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 11034. McCure, B. A.; Frei, H. J. Phys. Chem. C 2014, 118, 11601. Kim. W.; Frei, H. ACS Catal. 2015, 5, 5627. Yuan, G.; Agiral, A.; Pellet, N.; Kim, W.; Frei, H. Faraday Discuss. 2014, 176. 233. Edri, E.; Frei, H. J. Phys. Chem. C 2015, 119, 000.

Efficient Water Oxidation Using CoMnP Nanoparticles.

The development of efficient water oxidation catalysts based on inexpensive and Earth-abundant materials is a prerequisite to enabling water splitting as a feasible source of alternative energy. In this work, we report the synthesis of ternary cobalt manganese phosphide nanoparticles from the solution-phase reaction of manganese and cobalt carbonyl complexes with trioctylphosphine. The CoMnP nanoparticles (ca. 5 nm in diameter) are nearly monodisperse and homogeneous in nature. These CoMnP nanoparticles are capable of catalyzing water oxidation at an overpotential of 0.33 V with a 96% Faradaic efficiency when deposited as an ink with carbon black and Nafion. A slight decrease in activity is observed after 500 cycles, which is ascribed to the etching of P into solution, as well as the oxidation of the surface of the nanoparticles. Manganese-based ternary phosphides represent a promising new system to explore for water oxidation catalysis.

Establishing the Family of Diruthenium Water Oxidation Catalysts Based on the Bis(bipyridyl)pyrazolate Ligand System.

A bis(bipyridyl)pyrazolate ((Me)bbp(-)) has recently been introduced as a rugged dinucleating, bis(tridentate) ligand for the formation of efficient diruthenium water oxidation catalysts (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 24-27). Now, detailed protocols for the synthesis of a whole family of such dinuclear ruthenium complexes [{Ru(pyR(2))2}2(μ-(R1)bbp)(X,Y)](2+) based on the bis(bipyridyl)pyrazolate scaffold are reported. The isolation of a synthetic key intermediate allowed the straightforward introduction of different pyridines as axial ligands. Thereby, a set of complexes with different substituents at the pyrazolate backbone (R(1) = Br, H, Me), different pyridines as axial ligand (R(2) = H, NMe2, SO3), and different (non)bridging units in the in,in-position (X,Y = Cl, H2O, OAc) has been prepared and thoroughly characterized. Complexes of the type [{Ru(pyR(2))2}2(μ-(R1)bbp)(μ-OAc)](2+), with an exogenous acetato bridge, have been used as catalyst precursors in catalytic water oxidation experiments with a sacrificial oxidant. The effect of substitution on the pyrazole core of the (R1)bbp(-) ligand as well as on the pyridine ligands on both electrochemistry and catalytic activity has been systematically investigated. The catalyst stability, reflected by the turnover number, is crucially determined by the substituent at the pyrazolate ligand (R(1) = Me > H > Br). In contrast, the axial pyridine ligands modulate the rate of the catalytic process, expressed by the initial turnover frequency (R(2) = H > NMe2H(+)).

Nano-sized Mn oxide/agglomerated silsesquioxane composite as a good catalyst for water oxidation.

Water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen is an important reaction to store sustainable energies, and water oxidation is identified as the bottleneck for water splitting because it requires the high activation energy to perform. Herein a nano-sized Mn oxide/agglomerated silsesquioxane composite was used to synthesize an efficient catalyst for water oxidation. The composite was synthesized by a straightforward and simple procedure and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction spectrometry, and electrochemical methods. Silsesquioxane causes good dispersion of Mn in the composite. The water-oxidizing activity of this composite was studied in the presence of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate. The composite at the best calcination temperature (300°C) shows a turnover frequency 0.3 (mmol O2/mol Mn.s). Regarding the low-cost, environmentally friendly precursors, simple synthesis, and efficiency for water oxidation, the composite is a promising catalyst that can be used in artificial photosynthetic systems for water splitting. We used Agglomerated silsesquioxane as a support for nano-sized Mn oxide to synthesize a good water-oxidizing catalyst.

ChemInform Abstract: Molecular Complexes in Water Oxidation: Pre‐Catalysts or Real Catalysts

AbstractReview: 135 refs.

A pentanuclear iron catalyst designed for water oxidation.

Although the oxidation of water is efficiently catalysed by the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II (refs 1 and 2), it remains one of the main bottlenecks when aiming for synthetic chemical fuel production powered by sunlight or electricity. Consequently, the development of active and stable water oxidation catalysts is crucial, with heterogeneous systems considered more suitable for practical use and their homogeneous counterparts more suitable for targeted, molecular-level design guided by mechanistic understanding. Research into the mechanism of water oxidation has resulted in a range of synthetic molecular catalysts, yet there remains much interest in systems that use abundant, inexpensive and environmentally benign metals such as iron (the most abundant transition metal in the Earth's crust and found in natural and synthetic oxidation catalysts). Water oxidation catalysts based on mononuclear iron complexes have been explored, but they often deactivate rapidly and exhibit relatively low activities. Here we report a pentanuclear iron complex that efficiently and robustly catalyses water oxidation with a turnover frequency of 1,900 per second, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than that of other iron-based catalysts. Electrochemical analysis confirms the redox flexibility of the system, characterized by six different oxidation states between Fe(II)5 and Fe(III)5; the Fe(III)5 state is active for oxidizing water. Quantum chemistry calculations indicate that the presence of adjacent active sites facilitates O-O bond formation with a reaction barrier of less than ten kilocalories per mole. Although the need for a high overpotential and the inability to operate in water-rich solutions limit the practicality of the present system, our findings clearly indicate that efficient water oxidation catalysts based on iron complexes can be created by ensuring that the system has redox flexibility and contains adjacent water-activation sites.

Promoting Photochemical Water Oxidation with Metallic Band Structures.

The development of economic water oxidation catalysts is a key step toward large-scale water splitting. However, their current exploration remains empirical to a large extent. Elucidating the correlations between electronic properties and catalytic activity is crucial for deriving general and straightforward catalyst design principles. Herein, strongly correlated electronic systems with abundant and easily tunable electronic properties, namely La(1-x)Sr(x)BO3 perovskites and La(2-x)Sr(x)BO4 layered perovskites (B = Fe, Co, Ni, or Mn), were employed as model systems to identify favorable electronic structures for water oxidation. We established a direct correlation between the enhancement of catalytic activity and the insulator to metal transition through tuning the electronic properties of the target perovskite families via the La(3+)/Sr(2+) ratio. Their improved photochemical water oxidation performance was clearly linked to the increasingly metallic character. These electronic structure-activity relations provide a promising guideline for constructing efficient water oxidation catalysts.

Iron‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for Visible Light‐Driven Water Oxidation

The development of earth-abundant, active, and stable catalysts is important for solar energy conversion. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been viewed as a promising class of porous materials, which may have innovative application in photocatalysis. In this paper, three types of Fe-based MOFs and their aminofunctionalized derivatives have been fabricated and systematically studied as water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) for oxygen evolution under visible light irradiation. MIL-101(Fe) possesses a higher current density and earlier onset potential and exhibits excellent visible light-driven oxygen evolution activity than the other Fe-based catalysts. It speeds up the oxygen evolution reaction rate with the higher initial turnover frequencies value of 0.10 s(-1). Our study demonstrates that Fe-based MOFs as efficient WOCs are promising candidates for photocatalytic water oxidation process.

A Mononuclear Co(II) Coordination Complex Locked in a Confined Space and Acting as an Electrochemical Water-Oxidation Catalyst: A "Ship-in-a-Bottle" Approach.

Preparing efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst (WOC) with inexpensive materials remains a crucial challenge in artificial photosynthesis and for renewable energy. Existing heterogeneous WOCs are mostly metal oxides/hydroxides immobilized on solid supports. Herein we report a newly synthesized and structurally characterized metal-organic hybrid compound [{Co3 (μ3 -OH)(BTB)2(dpe)2} {Co(H2O)4(DMF)2}0.5]n ⋅n H2O(Co-WOC-1) as an effective and stable water-oxidation electrocatalyst in an alkaline medium. In the crystal structure of Co-WOC-1, a mononuclear Co(II) complex {Co(H2O)4(DMF)2}(2+) is encapsulated in the void space of a 3D framework structure and this translationally rigid complex cation is responsible for a remarkable electrocatalytic WO activity, with a catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.05 s(-1) at an overpotential of 390 mV (vs. NHE) in 0.1 m KOH along with prolonged stability. This host-guest system can be described as a "ship-in-a-bottle", and is a new class of heterogeneous WOC.

A Mononuclear CoII Coordination Complex Locked in a Confined Space and Acting as an Electrochemical Water‐Oxidation Catalyst: A “Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle” Approach

AbstractPreparing efficient and robust water oxidation catalyst (WOC) with inexpensive materials remains a crucial challenge in artificial photosynthesis and for renewable energy. Existing heterogeneous WOCs are mostly metal oxides/hydroxides immobilized on solid supports. Herein we report a newly synthesized and structurally characterized metal–organic hybrid compound [{Co3(μ3‐OH)(BTB)2(dpe)2} {Co(H2O)4(DMF)2}0.5]n⋅n H2O (Co‐WOC‐1) as an effective and stable water‐oxidation electrocatalyst in an alkaline medium. In the crystal structure of Co‐WOC‐1, a mononuclear CoII complex {Co(H2O)4(DMF)2}2+ is encapsulated in the void space of a 3D framework structure and this translationally rigid complex cation is responsible for a remarkable electrocatalytic WO activity, with a catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.05 s−1 at an overpotential of 390 mV (vs. NHE) in 0.1 m KOH along with prolonged stability. This host–guest system can be described as a “ship‐in‐a‐bottle”, and is a new class of heterogeneous WOC.

Self-Supported Copper Oxide Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation at Low Overpotential and Confirmation of Its Robustness by Cu K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Developing efficient water oxidation catalysts made of earth-abundant elements is a demanding challenge that should be met to fulfill the promise of water splitting for clean energy. Herein we report an annealing approach to synthesize binder-free, self-supported heterogeneous copper oxide (CuO) on conductive electrodes for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), producing electrodes with excellent electrocatalytic properties such as high efficiency, low overpotential, and good stability. The catalysts were grown in situ on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) by electrodeposition from a simple Cu(II) salt solution, followed by annealing at a high temperature. Under optimal conditions, the CuO-based OER catalyst shows an onset potential of <0.58 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in 1.0 M KOH at pH 13.6. From the Tafel plot, the required overpotentials for current densities of 0.1 and 1.0 mA/cm2 are only 360 and 430 mV, respectively. The structure and the presence of a CuO motif in the catalyst have been identified by high-energy X-ray d...

CoOx thin film deposited by CVD as efficient water oxidation catalyst: change of oxidation state in XPS and its correlation to electrochemical activity.

To reduce energy losses in water electrolysers a fundamental understanding of the water oxidation reaction steps is necessary to design efficient oxygen evolution catalysts. Here we present CoOx/Ti electrocatalytic films deposited by thermal and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto titanium substrates. We report electrochemical (EC), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. The electrochemical behavior of the samples was correlated with the chemical and electronic structure by recording XPS spectra before and after each electrochemical treatment (conditioning and cyclovoltammetry). The results show that the electrochemical behavior of CoOx/Ti strongly depends on the resulting electronic structure and composition. The thermal deposition leads to the formation of a pure Co(II)Ox which transforms to a mixed Co(II)Co(III)Ox during the OER. This change in oxidation state is coupled with a decrease in overpotential from η = 0.57 V to η = 0.43 V at 5 mA cm(-2). Plasma deposition in oxygen leads to a Co(III)-dominated mixed CoOx, that has a lower onset potential as deposited due to a higher Co(III) content in the initial deposited material. After the OER XPS results of the CoOx/Ti indicate a partial formation of hydroxides and oxyhydroxides on the oxide surface. Finally the plasma deposition in air, results in a CoOxOH2 surface, that is able to completely oxidizes during OER to an oxyhydroxide Co(III)OOH. With the in situ formed CoOOH we present a highly active catalyst for the OER (η = 0.34 at 5 mA cm(-2); η = 0.37 V at 10 mA cm(-2)).

Nanoscale cobalt metal–organic framework as a catalyst for visible light-driven and electrocatalytic water oxidation

Co-ZIF-67 is proposed as an efficient water oxidation catalyst under visible light.

Nanolayered Mn oxide obtained in the reaction of KMnO4 and Mn2CO10: Conflict between extremes toward an efficient water-oxidizing catalyst

Using sustainable energies, large-scale electrochemical and photochemical hydrogen production from water splitting are greatly limited by water-oxidation reaction. Herein we report that nanolayered Mn oxide obtained in the reaction of KMnO4 and Mn2CO10 is a good catalyst toward water oxidation. The Mn oxide was synthesized by a simple method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the next step, the water-oxidizing activity of the oxide was considered in the presence of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate. The compound shows good water-oxidizing activity with turnover frequencies of ∼0.5 (mmol O2/(mol Mn·s)) toward water oxidation.