The production of hydrogen by water electrolysis promoted by solar irradiation (artificial photosynthesis) is one of the most appealing alternative sources for a cost-effective sustainable energy production.However, as in natural photosynthesis, hydrogen or other solar fuels will be produced at the cost of oxidizing water into oxygen. It is commonly accepted that the lack of an efficient, robust, and inexpensive water oxidation catalyst (WOC) is the biggest challenge for the technological development of artificial photosynthesis devices and many efforts are being currently devoted to this purpose.The requirements for a technologically relevant WOC are highly demanding, it should be able to work at low overpotentials for optimized energy conversion, while being also stable to air, light, water, heat, and oxidative deactivation.Here we will present our latest results in the development of fast and robust water oxidation catalysis by Prussian blue type coordination polymers. These WOCs show excellent activity and stability at neutral pH and ambient conditions. Furthermore, they are active in electrochemical and photo-induced water splitting, matching and even exceeding the features of transition metal oxides in some experimental conditions. At the same time, these coordination polymers are easily processed from solution, transparent to visible light, microporous, light and flexible, appearing as a promising family of WOC candidates for the advancement of solar fuels production.

Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water oxidation by Prussian blue based coordination polymers

247th National Meeting (2014)

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