Artificial photosynthesis: red-light absorbing metal complexes for hydrogen evolution

Molecular artificial photosynthesis is a promising solution to achieve independence of finite fossil fuels and provide an environmental and climate-benign energy supply. In this context, molecular hydrogen is a powerful fuel and consequently the development of molecular photocatalytic systems for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), half-reaction of the water-splitting process, is one of the great challenges for the scientific community. The HER’s photocatalytic activities are generally studied on a three-component system, consisting of a photosensitizer, a sacrificial electron-donor and a proton-reduction catalyst; in this regard, the project is focused on the photosensitizer. Recently, the Hanan group developed a Ru-photosensitizer that exhibits greater efficiency compared to what has been reported in literature. To enhance the photocatalytic performance of the HER system, the project is dedicated on the steric and electronic optimization of the Ru-photosensitizer. The goal is to develop an improved photosensitizer that can then be linked to the Co-catalyst subunit, resulting in a more efficient supramolecular system.

Faculty Supervisor:

Garry S. Hanan

Student:

Partner:

University of Messina

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Sustainability & the Environment; Green/Alternative Energy; Natural Resources

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: