Date Thesis Awarded
4-2014
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
William McNamara
Committee Members
Robert Pike
Kristin Wustholz
Abstract
An iron polypyridyl complex has been synthesized, characterized, and analyzed as an electrocatalyst for proton reduction. The complex is highly active in both organic and aqueous solutions, exhibiting a catalytic rate of 1200s-1 at 660 mV overpotential in acetonitrile and 3500s-1 at 800 mV overpotential in 1:1 water:acetonitrile. These rates establish the complex as one of the most active iron electrocatalyst for proton reduction reported at this time. Additionally, the catalyst can generate hydrogen from aqueous buffer solutions between pH= 3-6, with a turnover number of 23 over one hour at a Faradaic efficiency of 98%.
Recommended Citation
Connor, Gannon P., "An Iron Polypyridyl Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Generation in Aqueous Solutions" (2014). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 107.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/107
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