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Title: Polyelectrolyte-stabilized metal oxide hydrosols as catalysts for the photooxidation of water by zinc porphyrins

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100326a049· OSTI ID:6253952

Colloids of ruthenium dioxide and iridium oxide have been prepared and characterized. These colloids, which are inherently negatively charged in neutral water, have been stabilized with a surface layer of polyelectrolyte. Electrostatic binding occurs between the stabilized colloids and water-soluble zinc porphyrins of the opposite electronic charge. Such electrostatic forces affect the rate constant for interfacial electron transfer between the colloids and radical cations derived from the zinc porphyrins. The products of these reactions depend upon the relative charges of the reactants. For oppositely charged reactants, the rate of interaction was very high but O/sub 2/ generation was not observed. In some cases where the porphyrin and colloid possess the same charge, the system can be used to oxidize water to O/sub 2/ under photochemical conditions. The yield of O/sub 2/ depends upon the solution pH and the nature of both reactants. With negatively charged reactions in alkaline solution, the authors have reported quantum efficiencies for O/sub 2/ generation in the range of 50-60%. With positively charged reactants, oxygen formation could be observed in acidic solution, although the quantum efficiencies were less than 10%.

Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD (USA)
OSTI ID:
6253952
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 92:15
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English