A water-soluble dinuclear copper electrocatalyst, [Cu(oxpn)Cu(OH)2] for both water reduction and oxidation. (10th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fang, Ting; Fu, Ling-Zhi; Zhou, Ling-Ling; Zhan, Shu-Zhong
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 161(2015)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2015-04-10
• Subjects: Copper(II) complex -- molecular electrocatalyst -- water reduction -- water oxidation -- hydrogen evolution; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.02.101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cu(oxpn)Cu(OH)2 1 can catalyze both water oxidation and reduction to provide O2 and H2, respectively. Water reduction occurs with a TOF of 1383 moles h −1 at an overpotential of 0.689 V (pH 7.0). Water oxidation occurs at an overpotential of 0.289 V to give O2 with a TOF of ∼6.7 s −1 . Sustained water reduction catalysis to give H2 over a 72 h electrolysis period with 97.4% Faradaic yield. ABSTRACT: The reaction of N, N′-bis(3-aminopropyl) oxamido ligand (oxpn) and Cu(OH)2 affords a dinuclear copper(II) complex, Cu(oxpn)Cu(OH)2 1, a molecular electrocatalyst for both water reduction and oxidation. Water oxidation occurs at an overpotential of 0.289 V with a turnover frequency (TOF) of ∼6.7 s −1 . Water reduction occurs with a TOF of 1383 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour at an overpotential of 0.689 V (pH 7.0). Sustained water reduction catalysis occurs at glassy carbon (GC) to give H2 over a 72 h electrolysis period with 97.4% Faradaic yield and no observable decomposition of the catalyst.