The need for sustainability has given rise to research to find sources of alternative, clean energy. Artificial photosynthesis may allow for a cleaner path forward but is thermodynamically hindered water oxidation, which is one step of water splitting. Research was conducted to study and optimize a set of Iridium-based water oxidation catalysts. Photochemical experiments were conducted in buffer solutions (pH=5) with[Ru(bpy)3]2+ as a photosensitizer and [S2O8]2- as an electron acceptor. Water oxidation was measured through differential pressure manometry and oxygen production was confirmed through Clark electrode experimentation. Degradation of photosensitizer was quantified through UV-Vis Spectroscopy and was taken into account in optimization evaluation.

Visible light-driven water oxidation by molecular iridium catalysts

251st National Meeting (2016)

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