Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, in the project "Water to Fuel to Water: The Fuel Cycle of the Future", we try to find out how the catalyst formed from cobalt ions (obtained by dissolving cobalt nitrate) in a phosphate buffered solution will affect water splitting. In the “Variations” section, they suggest trying different metal salt compounds, such as ones containing nickel, iron or manganese, and using them to make catalysts with different metals. Can you tell us what exactly these salts are and where we can get them? Also, can you suggest other additional things that we can do?

Thanks,
Albert

Metallic salts can be obtained at a local company that carries scientific supplies. You should look in you local yellow pages, or do an on-line search.

Another good place to go for help would be your local high school's chemistry teacher. They are marvelous resources and often have materials available that you can use.

Good luck and have fun!

A very interesting and hot topic. This is far from my area of expertise, but I hope this might lead you somewhere.

The current "hot guy" in this field is Daniel G Nocera, who just moved from MIT to Harvard. Look him up on Wikipedia, and follow some of the links they give which may lead you to some useful answers. I hope!