H2 Evolution from Electrocatalysts with Redox-Active Ligands: Mechanistic Insights from Theory and Experiment vis-à-vis Co-Mabiq.

Electrocatalytic hydrogen production via transition metal complexes offers a promising approach for chemical energy storage. Optimal platforms to effectively control the proton and electron transfer steps en route to H2 evolution still need to be established, and redox-active ligands could play an important role in this context. In this study, we explore the role of the redox-active Mabiq (Mabiq = 2-4:6-8-bis(3,3,4,4-tetramethlyldihydropyrrolo)-10-15-(2,2-biquinazolino)-[15]-1,3,5,8,10,14-hexaene1,3,7,9,11,14-N6) ligand in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Using spectro-electrochemical studies in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations, we identified two precatalytic intermediates formed upon the addition of two electrons and one proton to [CoII(Mabiq)(THF)](PF6) (CoMbq). We further examined the acid strength effect on the generation of the intermediates. The generation of the first intermediate, CoMbq-H1, involves proton addition to the bridging imine-nitrogen atom of the ligand and requires strong proton activity. The second intermediate, CoMbq-H2, acquires a proton at the diketiminate carbon for which a weaker proton activity is sufficient. We propose two decoupled H2 evolution pathways based on these two intermediates, which operate at different overpotentials. Our results show how the various protonation sites of the redox-active Mabiq ligand affect the energies and activities of HER intermediates.

Polyamide/PEG Blends as Biocompatible Biomaterials for the Convenient Regulation of Cell Adhesion and Growth.

In addition to their established usage in textiles, commodities, and automotives, classical polyamides (nylons) are recently becoming increasingly interesting for applications in (bio)medicine. This fact relies on many prosperous properties of these polymers, which are toughness, resistance, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, tunable biodegradability, and their similarity to natural peptides (amide bonds). Some nylon-based medical products do already exist for wound treatment applications, implants, and biomolecule-interacting membranes, but the systematic use of these polymers for tissue engineering is-although desired-still to be accomplished. Inspired by this, the suitability of nylon 6 and of a related biobased and more hydrophobic terpene-derived polyamide as surfaces for the controlled interaction with HaCat cells (human keratinocytes) are investigated herein with regard to possible applications for regenerative skin replacement. The nylons are applied as neat polymers and as hydrophilized blends/composites with polyethylene glycol and confirm their excellent suitability as biomaterials.