This project targets deposition of the water oxidation precatalyst, [Ru(terpyridine-X)(phenanthroline)Cl]PF6 on to an electrode surface via the Langmuir-Blogette (LB) technique. The long alkane chain (X = C6H6-O(CH2)8CH3) attached to the terpyridine moiety provides the amphiphilic nature necessary for LB film formation. The Complex displays formation of a stable LB monolayer with high collapse pressure of about 50 mN/m. Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopic (IRRAS) and UV-visible spectroscopic analyses confirms the successful transfer of the complex onto an ITO surface. Further, Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple of the complex on an ITO electrode appear at 800mV and the redox response increases linearly with the number of LB monolayer. The complex undergoes 86 turnovers in solution and heterogeneous water oxidation on ITO surface take place at 1.35V vs. SCE with 0.36V overpotential. In conclusion, incorporation of amphiphilic nature to the catalytic core introduces novel method for deposition of water oxidation catalyst on to an electrode surface with controlled thickness.

Langmuir-Blodgett film formation and characterization of ruthenium based amphiphilic water oxidation precatalyst

246th National Meeting (2013)

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