title: A molecular catalyst for water oxidation that binds to metal oxide surfaces.
abstract: Molecular catalysts are known for their high activity and tunability, but their solubility and limited stability often restrict their use in practical applications. Here we describe how a molecular iridium catalyst for water oxidation directly and robustly binds to oxide surfaces without the need for any external stimulus or additional linking groups. On conductive electrode surfaces, this heterogenized molecular catalyst oxidizes water with low overpotential, high turnover frequency and minimal degradation. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies show that it does not decompose into iridium oxide, thus preserving its molecular identity, and that it is capable of sustaining high activity towards water oxidation with stability comparable to state-of-the-art bulk metal oxide catalysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Stafford W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Julianne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA [2] Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath, Claverton Down BA2 7AY, UK.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hintermair
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Crabtree
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brudvig
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, PO Box 208107, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, USA.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Schmuttenmaer