Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water oxidation to dioxygen based on metal complexes

The construction of an artificial photosynthetic device requires detailed understanding of the catalytic aspects of photo- or photoelectro-driven water oxidation. This has been attracting much interest as one of the promising clean energy-providing systems for the future. This review mainly covers progress on electrocatalytic and photocatalytic systems for water oxidation in the last decade. It includes conventional iridium oxide colloid catalysts and the new electrodeposited cobalt-phosphate catalyst films for water oxidation.