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Molecularly Functionalized Electrodes for Efficient Electrochemical Water Remediation
Author(s) -
He Xiang,
Eberhart Michael S.,
Martinson Alex B. F.,
Tiede David M.,
Mulfort Karen L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202100878
Subject(s) - oxidizing agent , electrochemistry , oxide , catalysis , environmental remediation , electrode , inorganic chemistry , redox , surface modification , metal , water splitting , chemistry , materials science , groundwater remediation , metal ions in aqueous solution , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , photocatalysis , contamination , ecology , engineering , biology
The development and investigation of materials that leverage unique interfacial effects on electronic structure and redox chemistry are likely to play an outstanding role in advanced technologies for wastewater treatment. Here, the use of surface functionalization of metal oxides with a Ru II poly(pyridyl) complex was reported as a way to create hybrid assemblies with optimized electrochemical performance for water remediation, superior to those that could be achieved with the molecular catalyst or metal‐oxide electrodes used individually. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that the molecularly functionalized electrodes could suppress the formation of hydroxyl radicals (i. e., the dominant remediation pathway for bare metal‐oxide electrodes), allowing the water remediation to proceed through the highly oxidizing Ru 3+ ions in the surface‐bound complexes. Furthermore, the underlying metal‐oxide substrates played a crucial role in altering the electronic structure and electrochemical properties of the surface‐bound catalyst, such that the competing side reaction (i. e., water splitting) was largely inhibited.