FAST MOLECULAR WOCS · Fast Molecular WOCs
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2013-04-01 → 2017-03-31
- EU contribution
- €100,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-CIG
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Results in brief
Fast Molecular WOCs
http://chemistry.tcd.ie/staff/people/mcdonald https://twitter.com/FeNiCu Artificial photosynthesis (water splitting) is as an essential technology because it allows for the conversion of abundant solar energy and water to the carbon-neutral fuels oxygen and hydrogen. The Fast Molecular WOCs (WOC = water oxidation catalyst) project aims were to develop catalysts for the conversion water into these carbon-neutral fuels. Unfortunately, water oxidation catalysis is a vital component of water splitting, and artificial water splitting technologies have been impeded by slow WOCs. To date, an unsystematic approach to developing WOCs has been taken. No significant attention has been directed towards how the intrinsic properties of the catalyst, affect the catalytic activity. We have taken a first-principles, bottom-up approach to enhancing WOC activity. We have isolated and characterised some highly reactive oxidants that are likely intermediates in some active WOCs. We have explored the factors that affect their reactivity, and made some important discoveries into what controls the reactivity of such species. The career-development/career integration aspects of the project have also been a success. The researcher has been well-integrated into the European research community, and is actively involved in two COST actions. Furthermore, the researcher has obtained a permanent position at the host institution and has been promoted to Associate Professor. The researcher has been awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant, and a large national grant as well. As detailed in the research dissemination section, the researcher has made high-quality and high-impact contributions to the Inorganic Chemistry community. Although the discoveries are fundamental in nature, they will contribute to our understanding of catalyst design, ultimately resulting in more efficient, more powerful, and greener (more environmentally friendly) catalysts for oxidation catalysis in the future.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This proposal focuses on a cutting-edge approach to the development of the next generation of molecular water oxidation catalysts (WOCs). Artificial water splitting is as an essential technology because it allows for the conversion of abundant solar energy and H2O to the carbon-neutral fuels O2 and H2. However, artificial water splitting technologies have been impeded by slow WOCs. To date, an unsystematic approach to designing WOCs has been taken. No attention has been directed towards how the intrinsic properties of the catalyst, such as oxidation state, spin state, d-electron count, and ligand field affect the catalytic activity. Additionally, the factors that affect O-O bond formation, the most demanding step in water oxidation catalysis, are poorly understood. Our key goals are to utilise a first principles, bottom-up approach to water oxidation catalyst design to develop the next generation of fast molecular WOCs. Specifically, we propose:1) To develop a family of ML complexes (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ru) utilising ligands (L) that enforce octahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and tetrahedral ligand fields; 2) To apply the family of ML complexes as WOCs in order to gauge how oxidation state, spin state, d-electron count, and ligand field, affect the catalytic activity; 3) To carry out detailed mechanistic investigations into O-O bond formation using the ML complexes.The CIG grant will play a major role for the applicant in his transition from an early career researcher to an independent, established European scientist with a higher research profile.The CIG will be the principle source of funding for lab supplies, equipment and travel for the researcher's new group, and salary for the applicant, and two young researchers. The CIG will allow the applicant to more quickly attract other research grants and thus to contribute to EU research output. The CIG grant will thus provide the candidate with the launchpad for an independent career of scientific excellence in the EU.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union