Synthesis and investigation of an oxygen-evolving catalyst containing cobalt phosphate

Abstract: The experimental section in this thesis was based on the work of Kanan, M.W, et al reported in Science in December of 2008. A catalyst containing cobalt and phosphate was synthesized and used to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen. This was done at nearly neutral pH. Cyclic voltammetry was performed to analyze the catalyst’s efficiency. Some surfaces were analyzed in a scanning electron microscope and the elemental composition was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A catalytic effect was observed at a potential of about 1,3 V. EDX showed Co at some of the surfaces. Quantum calculations were used to develop a model for the catalyst material. Molecular orbitals, interaction energies and vibrational frequencies were calculated for two different complexes of Co and phosphate. Patrik Larses was responsible for the electrochemical evaluation and synthesis in the experimental section of this thesis and Lina Tegesjö for the computational part.