Hydrogen evolution from water by use of viologen polymers as electron transfer catalyst

Abstract The behavior of viologen polymer (P‐V 2+ ) as an electron transfer catalyst in the reaction of hydrogen generation was studied. In the photoirradiation system, which contains triethanolamine (TEA), Ru(bpy) 3+ 3 , and P‐V 2+ , the amount of hydrogen evolution was less than methyl viologen (MV 2+ ); P‐V 2+ , however, was more effective in sodium dithionite as the electron donor and showed higher initial rates than MV 2+ .