Subnanometer catalytic clusters for water splitting, method for splitting water using subnanometer catalyst clusters

Abstract

The invention provides a catalytic electrode for converting molecules, the electrode comprising a predetermined number of single catalytic sites supported on a substrate. Also provided is a method for oxidizing water comprising contacting the water with size selected catalyst clusters. The invention also provides a method for reducing an oxidized moiety, the method comprising contacting the moiety with size selected catalyst clusters at a predetermined voltage potential.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A catalytic electrode for converting molecules, the electrode comprising a predetermined number of single catalytic sites supported on a substrate. 
     
     
         2 . The electrode as recited in  claim 1  wherein the number of sites is proportional to conversion rate of the molecules. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode as recited in  claim 1  wherein between 5 and 25 percent of the surface area of the substrate is in contact with the catalytic sites. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode as recited in  claim 1  wherein the catalytic sites each comprise between 3 and 50 atoms of catalytic moiety. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode as recited in  claim 4  wherein the catalytic moiety is a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Co, Ir, Pd, Pt, Al, Ag, Cu, Ru, Fe, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode as recited in  claim 1  wherein some of the catalytic sites comprise a first moiety, and some of the catalytic sites comprise a second moiety. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode as recited in  claim 1  wherein the substrate is an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of such as (ultra)nanocrystalline diamond, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes and other; (ii) oxides such as alumina, iron oxide, copper oxide, titania, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, tungsten oxide (iii) metals such as copper, silver, aluminum, tantalum, tungsten and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode as recited in  claim 7  wherein the substrate comprises substantially the entire support of the sites. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode as recited in  claim 7  wherein the electrically conductive material overlays a foundation material. 
     
     
         10 . A method for oxidizing water comprising contacting the water with size selected catalyst clusters. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of the catalysts clusters comprise between 4 and 50 atoms of catalytic moiety. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the pH of the method is greater than about 12. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the method utilizes electrolysis and the voltages applied up to approximately 3V. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein the method is practiced at a temperature ranging between approximately 5° C. and 900° C. 
     
     
         15 . A method for reducing an oxidized moiety, the method comprising contacting the moiety with size selected catalyst clusters at a predetermined voltage potential. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein each of the catalysts clusters comprise between 5 and 50 atoms of catalytic moiety. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the voltages applied in the method range from between approximately −2 V and +2.5 V with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode.