Catalysts and photosensitizers for solar H2 generation are often composed of expensive Pt and/or Ru components. In contrast, we seek systems for solution reduction of protons to H2 using photosensitizer/catalyst combinations that are composed of inexpensive and Earth-abundant metals. These studies have uncovered nickel-thiolate catalysts that are reminiscent of the active sites of nickel-containing hydrogenase enzymes. The bioinspired nickel catalysts have impressive activity for proton reduction in the presence of a photosensitizer and a sacrificial electron donor molecule. Though most solution H2 production systems suffer from short lifetimes due to photosensitizer decomposition, use of CdSe nanoparticles as photosensitizers can give H2 generation that persists for weeks. Therefore, these nickel-based systems have great promise for continued development and incorporation into full systems for artificial photosynthesis.

Nickel-based catalysts for H<sub>2</sub> generation using Earth-abundant catalysts

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Nickel-based catalysts for H2 generation using Earth-abundant catalysts

Nickel-based catalysts for H₂ generation using Earth-abundant catalysts