Cobalt–phosphate oxygen-evolving compound

Abstract

The utilization of solar energy on a large scale requires efficient storage. Solar-to-fuels has the capacity to meet large scale storage needs as demonstrated by natural photosynthesis. This process uses sunlight to rearrange the bonds of water to furnish O₂ and an H₂-equivalent. We present a tutorial review of our efforts to develop an amorphous cobalt–phosphate catalyst that oxidizes water to O₂. The use of earth-abundant materials, operation in water at neutral pH, and the formation of the catalystin situ captures functional elements of the oxygen evolving complex of Photosystem II.