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Iron-complex-based catalytic system for high-performance water oxidation in aqueous media

Author

Listed:
  • Takumi Matsuzaki

    (Osaka University)

  • Kento Kosugi

    (Osaka University
    Institute of Science Tokyo)

  • Hikaru Iwami

    (Osaka University)

  • Tetsuya Kambe

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

  • Hisao Kiuchi

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Yoshihisa Harada

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Daisuke Asakura

    (Research Institute for Energy Conservation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST))

  • Taro Uematsu

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

  • Susumu Kuwabata

    (Osaka University)

  • Yutaka Saga

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

  • Mio Kondo

    (Osaka University
    Institute of Science Tokyo
    JST, PRESTO)

  • Shigeyuki Masaoka

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

Abstract

Water oxidation is the key reaction in natural and artificial photosyntheses but is kinetically and thermodynamically sluggish. Extensive efforts have been made to develop artificial systems comparable to the natural system. However, constructing a molecular system based on ubiquitous metal ions with high performance in aqueous media similar to a natural system, remains challenging. In this study, inspired by nature, we successfully achieve highly efficient water oxidation in aqueous media. By electrochemical polymerisation of a pentanuclear iron complex bearing carbazole moieties, we successfully integrate two essential features of the natural system: catalytic centre composed of ubiquitous metal ions and charge transporting site. The resulting material catalyses water oxidation with a Faradaic efficiency of up to 99% in aqueous media. Our results provide a strategy to develop catalytic systems for water oxidation.

Suggested Citation

  • Takumi Matsuzaki & Kento Kosugi & Hikaru Iwami & Tetsuya Kambe & Hisao Kiuchi & Yoshihisa Harada & Daisuke Asakura & Taro Uematsu & Susumu Kuwabata & Yutaka Saga & Mio Kondo & Shigeyuki Masaoka, 2025. "Iron-complex-based catalytic system for high-performance water oxidation in aqueous media," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57169-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57169-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stafford W. Sheehan & Julianne M. Thomsen & Ulrich Hintermair & Robert H. Crabtree & Gary W. Brudvig & Charles A. Schmuttenmaer, 2015. "A molecular catalyst for water oxidation that binds to metal oxide surfaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, May.
    2. Masaya Okamura & Mio Kondo & Reiko Kuga & Yuki Kurashige & Takeshi Yanai & Shinya Hayami & Vijayendran K. K. Praneeth & Masaki Yoshida & Ko Yoneda & Satoshi Kawata & Shigeyuki Masaoka, 2016. "A pentanuclear iron catalyst designed for water oxidation," Nature, Nature, vol. 530(7591), pages 465-468, February.
    3. Michihiro Suga & Fusamichi Akita & Kunio Hirata & Go Ueno & Hironori Murakami & Yoshiki Nakajima & Tetsuya Shimizu & Keitaro Yamashita & Masaki Yamamoto & Hideo Ago & Jian-Ren Shen, 2015. "Native structure of photosystem II at 1.95 Å resolution viewed by femtosecond X-ray pulses," Nature, Nature, vol. 517(7532), pages 99-103, January.
    4. Asmit Bhowmick & Rana Hussein & Isabel Bogacz & Philipp S. Simon & Mohamed Ibrahim & Ruchira Chatterjee & Margaret D. Doyle & Mun Hon Cheah & Thomas Fransson & Petko Chernev & In-Sik Kim & Hiroki Maki, 2023. "Structural evidence for intermediates during O2 formation in photosystem II," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7961), pages 629-636, May.
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