Efficient production of hydrogen from water would represent a significant step towards truly sustainable supplies of energy. Ultimately, solar-driven water electrolysis could supply most of the world's fuel needs, while on a more immediate timeframe there is growing interest in generating hydrogen from non-fossil energy sources. However, water electrolysis is currently too low in efficiency to be practical, due mainly to energy losses at the water oxidation electrode. We describe a novel high efficiency catalyst material based on manganese oxide that is stabilized by a surface phosphorylation reaction in an ionic liquid electrodeposition process. The catalyst supports high rates of water oxidation and exhibits a light stimulation effect such that water oxidation rates are higher under illumination. More than 80 hours of continuous water oxidation have been demonstrated. Similarly we describe a water reduction catalyst for hydrogen generation that avoids the need for precious metals such as platinum.

High efficiency water oxidation and reduction catalysts

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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