Natural and Artificial Mn4Ca Cluster for the Water Splitting Reaction

• Published in: ChemSusChem Vol. 10; no. 22; pp. 4403 - 4408
• Main Authors: Chen, Changhui, Li, Yanxi, Zhao, Guoqing, Yao, Ruoqing, Zhang, Chunxi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 23.11.2017
• Subjects: artificial photosynthesis; Biological evolution; calcium; Catalysis; Catalysts; Clusters; Crystallography; Energy consumption; manganese; Photosynthesis; photosystem II; Solar energy; Water splitting
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201701371

The oxygen‐evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II (PSII) is a unique biological catalyst that splits water into electrons, protons, and O2 by using solar energy. Recent crystallographic studies have revealed that the structure of the OEC is an asymmetric Mn4Ca cluster, which provides a blueprint to develop man‐made water‐splitting catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. Although it is a great challenge to mimic the whole structure and function of the OEC in the laboratory, significant advances have recently been achieved. In this Minireview, recent progress on mimicking the natural OEC is discussed. New strategies are suggested to construct more stable and efficient new generation of catalytic materials for the water splitting reaction based on the artificial Mn4Ca cluster in the future. Return to center: The oxygen‐evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II is comprised of an asymmetric Mn4Ca cluster that splits water into electrons, protons, and O2. Recent progress on mimicking the OEC is reviewed and discussed. New strategies are suggested for constructing more stable and efficient catalytic materials for the water splitting reaction based on the synthesized artificial Mn4Ca cluster in the future.