Iron and Cobalt Corroles in Solution and on Carbon Nanotubes as Molecular Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production by Water Reduction

Abstract

Herein, we report the use of cobalt and iron corrole complexes as catalysts of H2O reduction to generate H2. Electro- and photocatalysis has been used in the case of dissolved corroles for water reduction with inspiring results. Carbon nanotubes doped with corroles were used as photo-electrochemical catalysts, with very low overpotential values and increased hydrogen production; incredibly high turnover numbers and turnover frequencies of approximately 107 and 105, respectively, were achieved. Through this last process, we were able to obtain 1 mmol of H2 by using minuscule amounts of catalyst, in the order of picograms. The reactions can be performed in water, without the need for organic solvents. Remarkably, the photo-electrochemical catalytic efficiency was increased by five orders of magnitude if the molecular catalysts were adsorbed onto carbon nanotubes.