HX-splitting photocatalysis for solar fuels
07-May-2013
- USA
Photochemical HX splitting reactions (X = halogen) provide a route for solar-to-fuel energy conversion and halogen photoelimination is a critical step in the process.
Scientists in the US have investigated the photoreduction mechanism of a pair of valence-isomeric dirhodium phosphazane complexes and suggest that a common intermediate is accessed in the photochemistry of both mixed-valent and valence-symmetric complexes. They conclude that halogen photoelimination proceeds by two sequential photochemical reactions: ligand dissociation followed by subsequent halogen elimination, and they hypothesise that complexes that can directly assume a halide-bridged structure will have the highest quantum efficiencies for energy conversion.
Other news from the department science
