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Updated: May 25, 2026

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
Electrochemical hydrogen production in aqueous micellar solution by a diiron benzenedithiolate complex relevant to
François Quentel1, Guillaume Passard, Frederic Gloaguen
1UMR 6521, CNRS, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 6 Av Le Gorgeu, Brest, France. fgloague@univ-brest.fr.
Abstract:
The diiron hydrogenase model Fe(2)(bdt)(CO)(6) (1, bdt = benzenedithiolate) was dispersed in aqueous micellar solution prepared from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Aqueous solution of 1 showed no sign of decomposition when left in contact with air over a period of several days. Current-potential responses recorded at a dropping mercury electrode over pH 7-3 were consistent with reduction of freely diffusing species. Catalysis of proton reduction was observed at pH < 6 with current densities exceeding 0.5 mA cm(-2) at an acid-to-catalyst ratio of 17. Bulk electrolysis at -0.66 V vs. SHE of solution of 1 at pH 3 confirmed the production of hydrogen with a Faradaic efficiency close to 100%. A mechanism involving initial reduction of 1 and subsequent proton-coupled electron transfer is proposed.
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