Robust catalysts for solar-driven water splitting

Abstract

The efficient generation of mol. hydrogen from sunlight and water is one of the holy grails of 21st century chem. Hydrogen is a clean, renewable fuel that could play a key role in meeting the world's skyrocketing demand for energy. Investigators in the NSF CCI Solar Fuels Program have found that Ni-Mo nanopowders and metal phosphide nanocrystals have catalytic efficiencies near that of platinum for hydrogen evolution from water. We also have developed robust mixed-metal nanostructured catalysts for the prodn. of oxygen from water. There is an urgent need to find even better water oxidn. catalysts, as the protons and electrons liberated when oxygen is evolved are the fundamental particles required for sustainable energy storing reactions, not only for hydrogen prodn., but also for the conversion of nitrogen and carbon dioxide to fuels and chems.