| abstract |
A cyclic process for the solar photolysis of water includes a first stage in which water is reduced in the presence of a Eu +2 photo-oxidizable reagent producing hydrogen and spent oxidized Eu +3 reagent. The spent reagent (Eu +3 ) is reduced by means of a transition metal ligand complex reductant, *RuL +3 in a photoexcited state, such as a ruthenium pyridyl complex. Due to competing reactions between the photolysis and regeneration products, the photo-oxidation reaction must be separated from the regeneration in space and time by supporting the reagent and/or the reductant on solid supports and utilizing pH, wavelength and flow control to maximize hydrogen and oxygen production. |