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A dinuclear porphyrin-macrocycle as efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Julia Jökel1, Fabian Schwer, Max von Delius
1Inorganic Chemistry I, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany. ulf.apfel@rub.de ulf-peter.apfel@umsicht.fraunhofer.de.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 27, 2020
Summary
A new dinuclear catalyst efficiently drives the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This novel nickel-based catalyst significantly outperforms single-centre catalysts for hydrogen production.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
Background:
- The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for sustainable energy technologies.
- Developing efficient and robust catalysts is essential for advancing HER.
- Dinuclear complexes offer unique catalytic properties compared to mononuclear systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel dinuclear catalyst for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- To investigate the catalytic performance of a macrocyclic porphyrin complex with two nickel centers.
- To compare the efficiency of the dinuclear catalyst against a mononuclear reference.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a macrocyclic porphyrin complex featuring two nickel centers linked by redox-active molecules.
- Electrochemical characterization of the dinuclear catalyst using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
- Comparative studies with a mononuclear nickel porphyrin complex under HER conditions.
Main Results:
- The dinuclear catalyst exhibits unprecedented efficiency in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction.
- The catalyst significantly outperforms a mononuclear reference catalyst in terms of catalytic activity.
- The redox-mediating linker plays a key role in the enhanced catalytic performance.
Conclusions:
- Dinuclear metal complexes, particularly porphyrin-based systems, represent a promising avenue for developing advanced HER catalysts.
- The design of catalysts with multiple active sites connected by redox-active linkers can lead to synergistic effects and improved performance.
- This work establishes a new benchmark for dinuclear catalysts in electrochemical hydrogen production.
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