Multistep photocatalytic reduction of dioxygen by immobilized [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in Nafion and cellulose matrices and macrocyclic cobalt(III) complexes

Abstract

The ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, incorporated into Nafion (Nf) and cellulose (CL) matrices was used for the photosensitized reduction of macrocyclic cobalt(III) complexes. Photocatalytic reduction of oxygen (O₂) to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was carried out by the reaction of the photoproduced cobalt(II) complex. The photoproduced [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ complex was reduced by the sacrificial electron donor triethanolamine. High turnover numbers of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ at the membrane were observed. The multistep one-electron photoreduction of O₂ to H₂O₂ in the Nf/[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and CL/[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ systems was realized using macrocyclic cobalt(III) complexes as catalyst.