Shining a light on the mechanism of photochemical hydrogen production

R&D Focus Areas:
Photochemical and photocatalytic processes

Lead Organisation:
Deakin University

Partners:
Carnegie Mellon University

Status:
Active

Start date:
July 2021

Completion date:
June 2024

Key contacts:
Dr Tim Connell: t.connell@deakin.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$430,000 – Australian Research Council (DECRA Fellowship)

Project total cost:
AUD$681,960 – combined cash and in-kind contributions

Project summary description:
Sustainable alternatives to fossils fuels are critical to minimising the effects of climate change. This project aims to improve the performance and longevity of molecular photocatalysts to produce hydrogen from water and visible light. This project expects to utilise innovative experimental techniques to reveal the causes of degradation in key reaction intermediates. Understanding these detrimental pathways can then direct the design of new catalysts with enhanced stability and activity. Development of the fundamental chemistry explored in this project should advance breakthroughs in artificial photosynthesis that benefit both academia and industry and accelerate the realisation of the global hydrogen economy.

Related publications and key links:

• Draper, F., Doeven, E. H., Adcock, J. L., Francis, P. S., Connell, T. U., J. Org. Chem., 2023, 88, 6445
• Bawden, J. C., Francis, P. S., DiLuzio, S. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 11189
• Diluzio, S., Connell, T. U., Mdluli, V., Kowaleski, J. F., Bernhard, S., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 1431
• DiLuzio, S., Mdluli, V., Connell, T. U., Lewis, J., VanBenschoten, V., Bernhard, S., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2021, 143, 1179
• Motz, R. N., Lopato, E. M., Connell, T. U., Bernhard, S., Inorg. Chem., 2021, 60, 774
• Connell, T. U., Fraser, C. L., Czyz, M. L., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2019, 141, 17646

Higher degree studies supported:
One PhD student based at Deakin University (Waurn Ponds campus)

 

Reviewed: April 2024