Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Water Oxidation by Persulfate

Photocatalytic water oxidation by persulfate (Na2S2O8) with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) as a photocatalyst provides a standard protocol to study the catalytic reactivity of water oxidation catalysts. The yield of evolved oxygen per persulfate is regarded as a good index for the catalytic reactivity because the oxidation of bpy of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) and organic ligands of catalysts competes with the catalytic water oxidation. A variety of metal complexes act as catalysts in the photocatalytic water oxidation by persulfate with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) as a photocatalyst. Herein, the catalytic mechanisms are discussed for homogeneous water oxidation catalysis. Some metal complexes are converted to metal oxide or hydroxide nanoparticles during the photocatalytic water oxidation by persulfate, acting as precursors for the actual catalysts. The catalytic reactivity of various metal oxides is compared based on the yield of evolved oxygen and turnover frequency. A heteropolynuclear cyanide complex is the best catalyst reported so far for the photocatalytic water oxidation by persulfate and [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), affording 100% yield of O-2 per persulfate.