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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
Development of a Minimal Photosystem for Hydrogen Production in Inorganic Chemical Cells
Keita Nakanishi1,2, Geoffrey J T Cooper1, Laurie J Points1
1WestCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
Abstract:
Inorganic chemical cells (iCHELLs) are compartment structures consisting of polyoxometalates (POMs) and cations, offering structured and confined reaction spaces bounded by membranes. We have constructed a system capable of efficient anisotropic and hierarchical photo-induced electron transfer across the iCHELL membrane. Mimicking photosynthesis, our system uses proton gradients between the compartment and the bulk to drive efficient conversion of light into chemical energy, producing hydrogen upon irradiation. This illustrates the power of the iCHELL approach for catalysis, where the structure, compartmentalisation and variation in possible components could be utilised to approach a wide range of reactions.
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