title: A biomimetic copper water oxidation catalyst with low overpotential.
abstract: Simply mixing a Cu(II) salt and 6,6'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine (H2L) in a basic aqueous solution afforded a highly active water oxidation catalyst (WOC). Cyclic voltammetry of the solution at pH = 12-14 shows irreversible catalytic current with an onset potential of ~0.8 V versus NHE. Catalytic oxygen evolution takes place in controlled potential electrolysis at a relatively low overpotential of 640 mV. Experimental and computational studies suggest that the L ligand participates in electron transfer processes to facilitate the oxidation of the Cu center to lead to an active WOC with low overpotential, akin to the use of the tyrosine radical by Photosystem II to oxidize the CaMn4 center for water oxidation.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago , 929 E. 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.
authors: Teng
authors: T
authors: Zhang
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Wang
authors: Shubin
authors: S
authors: Liu
authors: Jin-Liang
authors: JL
authors: Wang
authors: Wenbin
authors: W
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics; D002384:Catalysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004572:Electrolysis; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014867:Water; D003300:Copper; C031356:hydroxide ion