Role of proton relays in molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen oxidation and production

Catalysts capable of efficient interconversion of electrical energy and fuels will be important for a flexible and sustainable energy supply in the future. Such catalysts require careful design of both the first and second coordination spheres to achieve high activities. In previous work we have reported that nickel complexes containing diphosphine ligands with pendant nitrogen bases are efficient catalysts for hydrogen oxidation and production. Current studies are focused on the precise role of the pendant base in enhancing the turnover frequency and lowering the overpotential for these catalytic processes. Our recent investigations have provided a more thorough understanding of the role of proton relays and important considerations in the design of faster hydrogen oxidation and production electrocatalysts.