Biomimetic multifunctional porous chalcogels as solar fuel catalysts

Benjamin D. Yuhas, Amanda L. Smeigh, Amanda P.S. Samuel, Yurina Shim, Santanu Bag, Alexios P. Douvalis, Michael R. Wasielewski, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biological systems that can capture and store solar energy are rich in a variety of chemical functionalities, incorporating light-harvesting components, electron-transfer cofactors, and redox-active catalysts into one supramolecule. Any artificial mimic of such systems designed for solar fuels production will require the integration of complex subunits into a larger architecture. We present porous chalcogenide frameworks that can contain both immobilized redox-active Fe4S4 clusters and light-harvesting photoredox dye molecules in close proximity. These multifunctional gels are shown to electrocatalytically reduce protons and carbon disulfide. In addition, incorporation of a photoredox agent into the chalcogels is shown to photochemically produce hydrogen. The gels have a high degree of synthetic flexibility, which should allow for a wide range of light-driven processes relevant to the production of solar fuels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7252-7255
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume133
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - May 18 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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