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![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
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Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
Published on: December 4, 2017
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Electrocatalytic H2 evolution promoted by a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) complex
Soumalya Sinha1, Giang N Tran1, Hanah Na1
1Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. mirica@illinois.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 4, 2022
Summary
A novel nickel electrocatalyst efficiently produces hydrogen gas from trifluoroacetic acid. Its design mimics biological enzymes, offering a promising avenue for sustainable energy research.
Area of Science:
- Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Electrocatalysis
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy.
- Developing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts is essential.
- Nature utilizes [NiFe] hydrogenases for biological proton reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst for hydrogen production.
- To investigate the mechanism of electrocatalytic H2 generation.
- To benchmark the catalyst's activity against existing molecular Ni HER electrocatalysts.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of a (N2S2)Ni(II) complex.
- Electrochemical evaluation of H2 production from trifluoroacetic acid (CF3CO2H) in acetonitrile (MeCN).
- Mechanistic studies including kinetic analysis and computational modeling.
Main Results:
- The (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst achieved a high turnover frequency (TOF) of ~1250 s-1.
- Efficient H2 production was observed at low acid concentrations (<0.043 M).
- A proposed mechanism highlights the role of a hemilabile pyridyl group.
Conclusions:
- The bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) complex demonstrates high activity for H2 evolution.
- The catalyst's mechanism, involving a hemilabile pyridyl group, mimics biological hydrogenases.
- This work provides insights into designing efficient molecular electrocatalysts for HER.
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