Robust Photogeneration of H ₂ in Water Using Semiconductor Nanocrystals and a Nickel Catalyst

TLDR

Artificial photosynthesis catalysts suffer from instability under reaction conditions, a problem that autotrophs overcome by continuously regenerating their biochemical machinery. The authors combine semiconductor nanoparticles for light absorption with a soluble nickel complex for catalysis, requiring a sacrificial electron donor but demonstrating robustness that suggests future integration with an oxidation catalyst. The system achieves photoreductive hydrogen generation in water with undiminished activity for weeks, as reported in the recent publication. Han et al.

Abstract

Robust Reduction A major challenge in the design of artificial photosynthesis catalysts has been their instability under the reaction conditions—a problem that plants and other autotrophs address by perpetually reproducing their biochemical machinery. Han et al. (p. 1321 , published online 8 November) now demonstrate a system for photoreductive hydrogen generation in water that manifests undiminished activity for weeks at a time. Semiconductor nanoparticles for light absorption were combined with a soluble nickel complex for the catalytic chemistry. The system currently requires a sacrificial electron donor, but its robustness shows promise for future pairing with an integrated oxidation catalyst.