Mixed Metal Catalyst Tunes Oxygen Evolution
Researchers in the University of Glasgow and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) have been able to precisely tune the voltage at which the oxygen evolution reaction happens when electricity is used to power the process. This is important since the oxygen evolution reaction is a key step in photosynthesis, and also in the development of new ways to make solar fuels whereby (renewable) electricity can be used to produce a fuel like hydrogen. The catalyst is a metal oxide cluster and normally combines tungsten and cobalt. However, the researchers found that when replacing some of the tungsten with molybdenum, the properties of the system could be fine tuned and the preparation is very simple, just by mixing different amounts of the metals in water.
Figure: (left) Representation of the Mixed Metal Cluster structure {Co4(H2O)2(PM9O34)2} Mox/Wy (where x + y = 9). (Right): Graph showing the voltage at which the current rises.
Read the full paper here