MUMBAI, India, Aug. 12 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202611070169 A) filed by Indian Institute Of Technology Roorkee on June 04, 2026, for Bismuth-Based Redox-Active Homogeneous Electrocatalysts And Methods For Sustainable Hydrogen Evolution And Small Molecule Activation.
Inventors include Prof. Sayanti Chatterjee; Mr. Yashdeep Maurya; and Ms. Parul.
The application for the patent was published on August 07, 2026, under issue no. 32/2026.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a homogeneous bismuth-based redox-active electrocatalysts for sustainable energy applications, particularly hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and small-molecule activation processes. More specifically, the invention discloses molecular bismuth catalytic systems comprising pincer ligand frameworks represented by X–C–X architectures, wherein X independently represents donor atoms selected from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, and selenium. The ligand framework comprises tunable steric and electronic features and further incorporates engineered secondary coordination sphere functionalities including proton relay groups for promoting proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The invention enables electrochemical in situ generation of low-valent bismuth intermediates from stable precursor complexes under mild conditions without requiring external chemical reductants. The disclosed catalytic systems exhibit enhanced catalytic activity, reduced overpotential, improved turnover frequency, high faradaic efficiency, and operational stability. The invention provides a sustainable, cost- effective, and environmentally benign alternative to precious-metal catalysts for hydrogen generation and energy-related catalytic applications.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
