Ligand-centric approach towards self-assembly of biomimetic water oxidation catalysts

Development of large-scale renewable energy storage is critical for further expanding the integration of renewable solar and wind energy into Sweden’s energy mix.

Hydrogen produced from electrolytic water oxidation is an important industrial chemical feedstock and a leading candidate for storing renewable energy as high energy density fuel.

In this project, we focus on the development of anodes covered by efficient, molecular water oxidizing catalysts (WOC’s) that extract protons and electrons from water for electrolytic hydrogen production.

We propose a conceptually new ligand-centric approach that allows self-assembly and connection of molecular WOC’s to anodes in one step.

The advantage of this new approach is a simpler design and optimization process, leading to a faster implementation of large scale, low cost electrolytic hydrogen production into Sweden’s industry and energy sectors.