Solar Driven Water Oxidation by a Bioinspired Manganese Molecular Catalyst

• DOI: 10.1021/ja910055a
• Publication Date: 2010-02-15T14:50:13Z
• Authors: Robin Brimblecombe; Annette Koo; G. Charles Dismukes; Gerhard F. Swiegers; Leone Spiccia
• Keywords: Catalytic Oxidation

A photoelectrochemical cell was designed that catalyzes the photooxidation of water using visible light as sole energy source and a molecular catalyst, [Mn4O4L6]+ (1+, L = bis(methoxyphenyl)phosphinate), synthesized from earth-abundant elements. The essential features include photochemical charge separation system, [RuII(bipy)2(bipy(COO)2)], adhered to titania-coated FTO conductive glass, 1+ embedded within proton-conducting membrane (Nafion). complete photoanode represents functional analogue water-oxidizing center natural photosynthesis.