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Inexpensive Chemical Compound for Isolating Hydrogen Energy from Seawater and Wastewater

IP Title

Polynuclear Metal Clusters, Methods of Making, and Methods of Use Thereof

Detailed Technology Description

None

Application Date

Oct 4, 2013

Application No.

9,365,600

Others

*Abstract

Invention

This metal catalyst facilitates cost-effective water oxidation to promote the use of hydrogen as a widespread alternative fuel source. Hydrogen is an attractive energy source due to its renewability and non-polluting nature. Water oxidation, also known as water splitting, refers to processes that separate water’s atomic components, cleaving hydrogen molecules from their attached oxygen molecules. While chemical, electrochemical, or photochemical procedures can achieve this, only electrochemical and photochemical techniques are considered "green." These generate little waste and utilize catalytic compounds to produce the hydrogen. Unfortunately, most hydrogen used for energy today is produced using natural gas, resulting in unwanted carbon dioxide emissions.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a catalyst that does not require the use of costly metal ions such as ruthenium (Ru) or iridium (Ir) for water oxidation. This inexpensive compound mimics the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) found in nature. Because hydrogen can potentially power any kind of device, the market applications for this relatively inexpensive catalyst are endless.

Application

Polynuclear metal clusters that isolate hydrogen molecules from any existing water source at low cost to support the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source

Advantages

• Mimics compounds found in nature, providing a "green" solution for water splitting
• Costs less to produce than other catalysts, paving the way for widespread use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source
• Aids transition from "hydrocarbon economy" to "solar hydrogen economy," safeguarding the environment from damaging pollutants
• Provides greater profit opportunity due to lower costs than other available catalysts
• Utilizes abundant raw components (untreated water and common metal ions), ensuring an unlimited supply of hydrogen is available to meet ever-increasing energy demands
• Stable in the reaction medium (water), lasting longer and working more efficiently than other catalytic complexes
• Performs in seawater, catalyzing hydrogen production from the most abundant natural water source
• Will eventually cost much less than traditional energy sources, preventing future energy crises

Technology

Studies have shown that certain compounds (e.g. those possessing cube-like or planar triangular structures) will function as effective water oxidation catalysts. These high oxidation Mn-oxo compounds mimic the structure of naturally occurring water-oxidizing complexes found in plants and bacteria. By utilizing carboxylate ligands and nitrogen-containing ligands, water-soluble and water-stable derivatives of these high oxidation molecular compounds carry out homogeneous electrocatalytic water splitting with a relatively high degree of efficiency.

*IP Issue Date

Jun 14, 2016

*IP Publication Date

Feb 13, 2014

*Principal Investigator

Name: George Christou

Department:

Name: Galia Maayan

Department:

Country/Region

USA