In tests reported in this week’s issue of the journal Science,
the group showed that this modified catalyst was effective and
stable for performing the reaction repeatedly. “This work
represents a significant advance in the application of molecular
electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and oxidation,” says
DuBois. It shows, he says, that these highly reactive molecular
catalysts can operate efficiently under conditions that may be
practical for electrolyzers and fuels cells. “This is an
important step toward moving bio-inspired catalysts from
conception to practice.” Nate Lewis, a professor of chemistry at
Caltech, agrees. “This is an important step toward the
development of a full system that splits water from sunlight,”
he says. But Lewis notes that finding a way to attach the
catalysts to a surface so that they can be used in an electrode
is just one piece of the puzzle. John Turner, a research fellow
in energy sciences at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
in Golden, CO adds that, “the major barr