Résumé
The efficient reduction of protons as well as direct conversion of CO2 under mild conditions and catalyzed by non-noble metals is a current challenge and a need of modern society. While nature possesses very sophisticated machineries to perform such conversions, rationally designed catalytic materials are rare [1]. To find suitable compounds for the activation of such small molecules, new strategies have to be found to design superior electrocatalysts. Herein the manipulation of [FeFe]-enzymes with synthetic inorganic cofactors will be presented [2]. Based on such experiments, 1) a strategy to apply biological principles (e.g. cooperative metal-metal interactions) in small homogenous electrocatalysts and 2) an attempt to obtain heterogeneous electrocatalysts, revealing comparable built-in Fe/Ni-moieties, will be presented [3]. We herein aim to raise the awareness of the overall common design and working principles of catalysts incorporating aspects of biology, chemistry, and material sciences.
