Push-pull tandems based on metal CLUSters and PolyOxoMetalates for solar production of H2 – CLUSPOM-H2

The project targets to design functional supramolecular systems based on mixed inorganic molecular building blocks combining “electron-poor” thio-polyoxometalates (thio-POMs) and “electron-rich” octahedral clusters (CLUSs) with complementary optical and electronic properties. The thio-POMs will serve as efficient redox catalysts, while CLUSs will act as robust photosensitizers. Hybrid thio-POM-CLUS assemblies will be employed as through space electron donor-acceptor tandem for visible light driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The photo- and photoeclctro-catalytic process will be studied first in homogeneous systems to establish conditions and experimental parameters for optimum performances. In a second step, the molecular thio-POM-CLUS tandem will be integrated into compartmentalized photoelectrochemical cells. Advanced photophysical characterization and modeling will be employed to get insights into mechanism of photo-induced electron/energy transfer processes.