Probing the Effects of Electrode Composition and Morphology on the Effectiveness of Silicon Oxide Overlayers to Enhance Selective Oxygen Evolution in the Presence of Chloride Ions.

Seawater electrolysis offers significant logistical advantages over freshwater electrolysis but suffers from a fundamental selectivity problem at the anode. To prevent the evolution of toxic chlorine alongside the evolution of oxygen, a promising approach is the use of electrochemically inert overlayers. Such thin films can exert a perm-selective effect, allowing the transport of water and oxygen between the bulk electrolyte and the electrocatalytic buried interface while suppressing the transport of chloride ions.

Active repair of a dinuclear photocatalyst for visible-light-driven hydrogen production.

The molecular apparatus behind biological photosynthesis retains its long-term functionality through enzymatic repair. However, bioinspired molecular devices designed for artificial photosynthesis, consisting of a photocentre, a bridging ligand and a catalytic centre, can become unstable and break down when their individual modules are structurally compromised, halting their overall functionality and operation. Here we report the active repair of such an artificial photosynthetic molecular device, leading to complete recovery of catalytic activity.

Photoinduced Charge Accumulation and Prolonged Multielectron Storage for the Separation of Light and Dark Reaction.

The utilization of solar energy is restricted by the intermittent nature of solar influx. We present novel noble-metal free complexes that can be photochemically charged in the presence of sacrificial electron donors and remain stable in its charged form for over 14 h. This allows the doubly reduced Cu(I) 4-imidazolate complex to be stored after photochemical charging and used as a reagent in dark reactions, such as the reduction of methyl viologen or oxygen.

Failing Homeostasis of Quadriceps Muscle Energy- and pH Balance During Bicycling in a Young Patient With a Fontan Circulation.

Patients with a congenital heart condition palliated with a Fontan circulation generally present with decreased exercise capacity due to impaired cardiopulmonary function. Recently, a study in patients with a Fontan circulation reported evidence for abnormal vascular endothelial function in leg muscle. We investigated if abnormal skeletal muscle hemodynamics during exercise play a role in the limited exercise tolerance of Fontan patients.

Photoelectrocatalytic H evolution from integrated photocatalysts adsorbed on NiO.

A new approach to increasing the faradaic efficiency of dye-sensitised photocathodes for H evolution from water, using integrated photocatalysts, furnished with ester groups on the peripheral ligands, [Ru(decb)(bpt)PdCl(HO)](PF) () and [Ru(decb)(2,5-bpp)PtI(CHCN)](PF) (), (decb = 4,4'-diethylcarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine, bpp = 2,2':5',2''-terpyridine, bpt = 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole) is described. Overall, |NiO is superior to previously reported photocathodes, producing photocurrent densities of 30-35 μA cm at an applied bias of -0.2 V Ag/AgCl over 1 hour of continuous white light irradiation, resulting in the generation of 0.

Hydrogen-Generating Ru/Pt Bimetallic Photocatalysts Based on Phenyl-Phenanthroline Peripheral Ligands.

Recent studies on hydrogen-generating supramolecular bimetallic photocatalysts indicate a more important role of the peripheral ligands than expected, motivating us to design a Ru/Pt complex with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline peripheral ligands. Photoinduced intra- and inter-ligand internal conversion processes have been investigated using transient absorption spectroscopy, spanning the femto- to nanosecond timescale. After photoexcitation and ultrafast intersystem crossing, triplet states localised on either the peripheral ligands or on the bridging ligand/catalytic unit are populated in a non-equilibrated way.

MnO/IrO as Selective Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst in Acidic Chloride Solution.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and chlorine evolution reaction (CER) are electrochemical processes with high relevance to water splitting for (solar) energy conversion and industrial production of commodity chemicals, respectively. Carrying out the two reactions separately is challenging, since the catalytic intermediates are linked by scaling relations. Optimizing the efficiency of OER over CER in acidic media has proven especially difficult.

Enhancing Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation: the Impact of the Peripheral Ligands in Ru/Pd and Ru/Pt Complexes.

The synthesis, photophysical properties and photocatalytic efficiency of a range of novel supramolecular assemblies of the type [Ru(dceb) (μ-bisbpy)MCl ][PF ] and [Ru(bpy) (μ-bisbpy)MCl ][PF ] (M=Pd or Pt, dceb=diethyl 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylate, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine and bisbpy=2,2':5',3'':6'',2'''-quaterpyridine) are reported. Photocatalytic hydrogen generation was dependent on the nature of the peripheral ligand, on the catalytic centre and on the amount of water present in the photocatalytic mixture. The best catalytic conditions were obtained with the dceb peripheral ligand (turnover numbers up to 513 after 18 h).

Peripheral ligands as electron storage reservoirs and their role in enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

The contrasting early-time photodynamics of two related Ru/Pt photocatalysts with very different photocatalytic H2 generation capabilities are reported. Ultrafast equilibration (535 ± 17 fs) creates an electron reservoir on the peripheral ligands of the ester substituted complex, allowing a dramatic increase in photocatalytic performance. This insight opens the way towards a novel design strategy for H2 generating molecular photocatalysts.

The Critical Role Played by the Catalytic Moiety in the Early-Time Photodynamics of Hydrogen-Generating Bimetallic Photocatalysts.

The effect of the catalytic moiety on the early-time photodynamics of Ru/M (M=Pt or Pd) bimetallic photocatalysts is studied by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. In comparison to the Ru/Pd photocatalyst described earlier, the Ru/Pt analogue shows complex excited-state dynamics with three distinct kinetic components ranging from sub-ps to 10(2)  ps, requiring a more sophisticated photophysical model than that developed earlier for the Ru/Pd complex. In the Pu/Pt photocatalyst, an additional lower-lying excited state is proposed to quench the hot higher-lying triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states.

Subtle Changes to Peripheral Ligands Enable High Turnover Numbers for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation with Supramolecular Photocatalysts.

The photocatalytic generation of hydrogen (H2) from protons by two cyclometalated ruthenium-platinum polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy)2(2,5-bpp)PtIS](2+) (1) and [Ru(dceb)2(2,5-bpp)PtIS](2+) (2) [where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 2,5-bpp = 2,2',5',2″-terpyridine, dceb = 4,4'-di(carboxyethyl)bipyridine, and S = solvent], is reported. Turnover numbers (TONs) for H2 generation were increased by nearly an order of magnitude by the introduction of carboxyethyl ester units, i.e.

Supramolecular bimetallic assemblies for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water.

A series of supramolecular assemblies of the type [Ru(L-L)2(L'-L)MX2)](n+) are reported where L-L is 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 4,4'-di-tetra-butyl-bipyridine (tbbipy) or 4,4'-diethoxycarbonyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dceb), L-L' is tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j]phenazine (tpphz), 2,2':5',2''-terpyridine (2,5-bpp), 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, (2,6-bpp), 2,5-di(pyridine-2-yl)pyrazine (2,5-dpp) or 2,3-di(pyridine-2-yl)pyrazine (2,3-dpp), and MX2 is PdCl2, PtCl2 or PtI2. The photocatalytic behaviour with respect to hydrogen generation of these compounds and their ultrafast photophysical properties are discussed as a function of the nature of the peripheral ligands, the bridging ligands and the catalytic centre. The results obtained show how differences in the chemical composition of the photocatalysts can affect intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer processes and the overall photocatalytic efficiency.

Carboxy derivatised Ir(III) complexes: synthesis, electrochemistry, photophysical properties and photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

In this contribution the synthesis and characterisation of a series of novel mixed ligand iridium(iii) complexes, functionalised with a carboxy ester or phosphonate groups are reported. These groupings are introduced on the 4-position of either the phenyl pyridine or the 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands. A low temperature high yield synthesis for the precursor [Ir(ppy-COOEt)2(μ-Cl)]2 was developed.

Optimization of hydrogen-evolving photochemical molecular devices.

A molecular photocatalyst consisting of a Ru(II) photocenter, a tetrapyridophenazine bridging ligand, and a PtX2 (X=Cl or I) moiety as the catalytic center functions as a stable system for light-driven hydrogen production. The catalytic activity of this photochemical molecular device (PMD) is significantly enhanced by exchanging the terminal chlorides at the Pt center for iodide ligands. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy shows that the intramolecular photophysics are not affected by this change.

Hole injection dynamics from two structurally related Ru-bipyridine complexes into NiO(x) is determined by the substitution pattern of the ligands.

The dyes bis[2,2′-bipyridine][4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine]ruthenium(II) dihexafluorophosphate, [Ru(bpy)2dcb](PF6)2 (Ru1), and tris[4,4′-bis(ethylcarboxy)-2,2′-bipyridine]ruthenium(II) dihexafluorophosphate, [Ru(dceb)3](PF6)2 (Ru2), attached to NiOx nanoparticle films were investigated using transient absorption and luminescence spectroscopy. In acetonitrile solution the dyes reveal very similar physical and chemical properties, i.e.

Carbene based photochemical molecular assemblies for solar driven hydrogen generation.

Novel photocatalysts based on ruthenium complexes with NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene)-type bridging ligands have been prepared and structurally and photophysically characterised. The identity of the NHC-unit of the bridging ligand was established unambiguously by means of X-ray structural analysis of a heterodinuclear ruthenium-silver complex. The photophysical data indicate ultrafast intersystem crossing into an emissive and a non-emissive triplet excited state after excitation of the ruthenium centre.

New synthetic pathways to the preparation of near-blue emitting heteroleptic Ir(III)N6 coordinated compounds with microsecond lifetimes.

A high yield synthetic route for the preparation of N6 coordinated heteroleptic Ir(III) complexes using bidentate polypyridyl type ligands is described. The complexes are near-blue emitters and show microsecond emission lifetimes, high emission quantum yields and have two quasi-reversible reduction processes between -1.0 and -1.

Europium phosphomolybdate and osmium metallopolymer multi-functional LbL films: redox and electrocatalytic properties.

Hybrid multilayer films composed by osmium metallopolymer [Os(bpy)2(PVP)10Cl]Cl (Os-poly) and europium phosphomolybdate, K₁₁[Eu(III)(PMo₁₁O₃₉)₂] (Eu(PMo11)2), were prepared using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method. The film build-up, monitored by electronic spectroscopy, showed a regular stepwise growth indicating a strong interaction between layers. The XPS measurements corroborated the successful fabrication of the hybrid films with the Os-poly/Eu(PMo11)2 composition.

A photo- and electrochemical investigation of BODIPY-cobaloxime complexes for hydrogen production, coupled with quantum chemical calculations.

Two BODIPY-cobaloxime complexes; [{Co(dmgH)2Cl}{3-[bis-(4-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-methyl]-pyridine-borondiflouride}] (1a) and [{Co(dmgH)2Cl}{4-[bis-(4-ethyl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-methyl]-pyridine-borondiflouride}] (2a) (BODIPY = boron dipyrromethene), (dmgH = dimethylglyoxime) have been synthesised and studied as model catalytic systems for the generation of hydrogen gas in aqueous media. Under photochemical conditions, neither complex catalysed the reduction of water to hydrogen. However, both complexes showed considerable activity under electrochemical conditions.

Porphyrin-cobaloxime complexes for hydrogen production, a photo- and electrochemical study, coupled with quantum chemical calculations.

Two porphyrin-cobaloxime complexes; [{Co(dmgH)2Cl}{MPyTPP}] () and [{Co(dmgH)2Cl}{ZnMPyTPP}] () (dmgH = dimethylglyoxime, MPyTPP = 5-(4-pyridyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin) have been synthesised as model systems for the generation of hydrogen from water. Although initially envisaged as photocatalytic systems neither complex catalysed the reduction of water to hydrogen following irradiation. However, both complexes are molecular precursors for hydrogen evolution under electrochemical conditions.

Recent progress in the development of bimetallic photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.

In this contribution recent developments in the design and application of bimetallic photocatalysts for the generation of hydrogen via intramolecular processes are assessed. The basic concepts of such assemblies are discussed together with an overview of the factors and molecular issues that affect their potential as photocatalysts. Issues that so far have limited progress are discussed and suggestions for future directions are made.