Many natural systems utilize multi-metal catalytic centers for processes such as water oxidation and CO2 reduction. We aim to graft molecular Re(I) catalysts onto silica surfaces to induce cooperative catalysis between surface Re(I) centers to reduce CO2 via low-energy pathways. In our research, tricarbonyl Re(I) catalysts are immobilized onto mesoporous and non-porous silicas via covalent linkages which enable control of molecular distances and geometry of the catalytic centers. These templated materials are expected to exhibit cooperative catalysis between multiple surface metal sites in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. We utilize FTIR, EPR, and UV-vis spectroscopies to characterize these systems and probe the cooperative CO2-reduction catalysis.

Spectroscopic investigations of surface-immobilized molecular photocatalysts for CO2 reduction

251st National Meeting (2016)

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