Visible light promoted photocatalytic water oxidation: proton and electron collection via a reversible redox dye mediator

Abstract

Visible light promoted photocatalytic water oxidations were conducted using a homogenous cobalt complex as a catalyst that was absorbed onto a silica gel substrate. The porous SiO₂ contained Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ as a light harvester and the redox quinone analogue DCPIP as a reversible electron mediator as a step towards utilization of protons and electrons liberated in water oxidations for solar fuels.