In situ formation of a molecular cobalt(III)/AgCl photocatalyst for visible-light water oxidation

Hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride underwent reaction in an aqueous AgNO3 solution containing a buffer base (pH 7–9), producing insoluble AgCl that showed no visible light photoresponse. The resultant molecular Co(III)/AgCl system showed water oxidation activity under visible light (λ > 400 nm), approximately five times greater than that of a previously reported CoOx/anatase-TiO2 photocatalyst.