Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven CO2 Reduction Mediated by Defect‐Engineered BiOBr Atomic Layers

Solar CO₂ reduction efficiency is largely limited by poor photoabsorption, sluggish electron–hole separation, and a high CO₂ activation barrier. Defect engineering was employed to optimize these crucial processes. As a prototype, BiOBr atomic layers were fabricated and abundant oxygen vacancies were deliberately created on their surfaces. X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra confirm the formation of oxygen vacancies. Theoretical calculations reveal the creation of new defect levels resulting from the oxygen vacancies, which extends the photoresponse into the visible‐light region. The charge delocalization around the oxygen vacancies contributes to CO₂ conversion into COOH* intermediate, which was confirmed by in situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface photovoltage spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence emission decay spectra indicate that the introduced oxygen vacancies promote the separation of carriers. As a result, the oxygen‐deficient BiOBr atomic layers achieve visible‐light‐driven CO₂ reduction with a CO formation rate of 87.4 μmol g^?1 h^?1, which was not only 20 and 24 times higher than that of BiOBr atomic layers and bulk BiOBr, respectively, but also outperformed most previously reported single photocatalysts under comparable conditions.     

An Efficient,Visible‐Light‐Driven,Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/Zn_xCd_1−xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER.     

An Efficient,Visible‐Light‐Driven,Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/Zn_xCd_1?xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g^?1 h^?1 and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER.     

Greenish‐yellow‐, yellow‐, and orange‐light‐emitting iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes with poly(ε‐caprolactone)–bipyridine macroligands

A set of novel greenish‐yellow‐, yellow‐, and orange‐light‐emitting polymeric iridium(III) complexes were synthesized with the bridge‐splitting method. The respective dimeric precursor complexes, [Ir(ppy)₂‐μ‐Cl]₂ (ppy = 2‐phenylpyridine) and [Ir(ppy? CHO)₂‐μ‐Cl]₂ [ppy? CHO = 4‐(2‐pyridyl)benzaldehyde], were coordinated to 2,2′‐bipyridine carrying poly(ε‐caprolactone) tails. The resulting emissive polymers were characterized with one‐dimensional (¹H) and two‐dimensional (¹H? ¹H correlation spectroscopy) nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and the successful coordination of the iridium(III) centers to the 2,2′‐bipyridine macroligand was revealed. The thermal behavior was studied with differential scanning calorimetry and correlated with atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the quantitative coordination was verified by both the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the mononuclear iridium(III) compounds. The photoluminescence spectra showed strong emissions at 535 and 570 nm. The color shifts depended on the substituents of the cyclometallating ligands. Cyclic voltammetry gave oxidation potentials of 1.23 V and 1.46 V. Upon the excitation of the films at 365 nm, yellow light was observed, and this could allow potential applications in light‐emitting devices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2765–2776, 2005     

Ultrathin Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets with Ultrahigh Loading of Single Pt Atoms for Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

A surfactant‐stabilized coordination strategy is used to make two‐dimensional (2D) single‐atom catalysts (SACs) with an ultrahigh Pt loading of 12.0 wt %, by assembly of pre‐formed single Pt atom coordinated porphyrin precursors into free‐standing metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with an ultrathin thickness of 2.4±0.9 nm. This is the first example of 2D MOF‐based SACs. Remarkably, the 2D SACs exhibit a record‐high photocatalytic H₂ evolution rate of 11 320 μmol g^?1 h^?1 via water splitting under visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm) compared with those of reported MOF‐based photocatalysts. Moreover, the MOF nanosheets can be readily drop‐casted onto solid substrates, forming thin films while still retaining their photocatalytic activity, which is highly desirable for practical solar H₂ production.     

Intrakonfigurations‐, Trip‐Multiplett‐ sowie anomal polarisierte A1gund A2g‐Übergänge in elektronischen und vibratorischen Resonanz‐Raman‐Spektren von (spinentarteten) trans‐Di(cyano)phthalocyaninatorhenaten

Intraconfigurational, Trip‐Multiplet, and Anomalously Polarised A_1g and A_2g Transitions in Electronic and Vibrational Resonance Raman Spectra of (Spin‐Degenerate) trans ‐Di(cyano)phthalocyaninatorhenates Brown bis(tetra(n‐butyl)ammonium) trans‐di(cyano)phthalocyaninato(2‐)rhenate(II) ( 1 ) is prepared by melting bis(phthalocyaninato(2‐)rhenium(II)) with tetra(n‐butyl)ammonium cyanide. According to electrochemical data, 1 is oxidised by iodine to yield blue tetra(n‐butyl)ammonium trans‐di(cyano)phthalocyaninato(2‐)rhenate(III) ( 2 ), whose cation exchange in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium salts has been confirmed by x‐ray structure determination. 1 and 2 dissolve without dissociation of the cyano ligands in conc. sulfuric acid. Dilution with cold water precipitates blue trans‐di(cyano)phthalocyaninato(2‐)rhenium(III) acid. 1 and 2 are oxidised by bromine yielding violet trans‐di(cyano)phthalocyaninato(1‐)rhenium(III). Oxidation of 2 with dibenzoylperoxide and N‐chlorsuccinimide is described. 1 and 2 are characterised by polarised resonance Raman(RR) spectra, FIR/MIR spectra, and UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra. Due to a Kramers degenerate ground electronic state of low‐spin Re^II, a polarisation anomaly of the totally symmetric vibrations a_1g at 598 and 672 cm^–1 with depolarisation ratios ρ_l > 3 is observed in the RR spectra of 1 . Weak bands in the unusual UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrum of 1 , starting at 10200 cm^–1, are attributed to trip‐multiplet (TM) transitions. An electronic RR effect is detected for 2 . The selectively enhanced anomalously polarised line at 1009 cm^–1 with ρ_l ≈ 15 and the (de)polarised lines between 1688 and 2229 cm^–1 are attributed to intraconfigurational transitions A_1g → A_2g > A_1g, B_1g, B_2g, E_g arising from the ³T_1g ground electronic state of low‐spin Re^III split by spin‐orbit coupling and low symmetry (D ). Some of their vibronic bands are detected in the IR spectrum between 1900 and 4000 cm^–1. B and Q transitions of 2 at 16700 and 31900 cm^–1, respectively, as well as eight weak TM transitions are observed between 5050 and 26100 cm^–1.     

Coupling Magnetic Single‐Crystal Co2Mo3O8 with Ultrathin Nitrogen‐Rich Carbon Layer for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Transition‐metal oxides as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) provide a promising route to face the energy and environmental crisis issues. Although palmeirite oxide A₂Mo₃O₈ as OER catalyst has been explored, the correlation between its active sites (tetrahedral or octahedral) and OER performance has been elusive. Now, magnetic Co₂Mo₃O₈@NC‐800 composed of highly crystallized Co₂Mo₃O₈ nanosheets and ultrathin N‐rich carbon layer is shown to be an efficient OER catalyst. The catalyst exhibits favorable performance with an overpotential of 331 mV@10 mA cm^?2 and 422 mV@40 mA cm^?2, and a full water‐splitting electrolyzer with it as anode catalyst shows a cell voltage of 1.67 V@10 mA cm^?2 in alkaline. Combined HAADFSTEM, magnetic, and computational results show that factors influencing the OER performance can be attributed to the tetrahedral Co sites (high spin, t₂³e⁴), which improve the OER kinetics of rate‐determining step to form *OOH.     

Strong‐Base‐Assisted Synthesis of a Crystalline Covalent Triazine Framework with High Hydrophilicity via Benzylamine Monomer for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Methods to synthesize crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are limited and little attention has been paid to development of hydrophilic CTFs and photocatalytic overall water splitting. A route to synthesize crystalline and hydrophilic CTF‐HUST‐A1 with a benzylamine‐functionalized monomer is presented. The base reagent used plays an important role in the enhancement of crystallinity and hydrophilicity. CTF‐HUST‐A1 exhibits good crystallinity, excellent hydrophilicity, and excellent photocatalytic activity in sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (hydrogen evolution rate up to 9200 μmol g^?1 h^?1). Photocatalytic overall water splitting is achieved by depositing dual co‐catalysts in CTF‐HUST‐A1, with H₂ evolution and O₂ evolution rates of 25.4 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and 12.9 μmol g^?1 h^?1 in pure water without using sacrificial agent.     

A Computational Study of a Single‐Walled Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Ultrafast High‐Capacity Aluminum Battery

Exploring suitable electrode materials is a fundamental step toward developing Al batteries with enhanced performance. In this work, we explore using density functional theory calculations the feasibility of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as a cathode material for Al batteries. Carbon nanotubes with hollow structures and large surface area are able to overcome the difficulty of activating the opening of interlayer spaces as observed in graphite electrode during the first intercalation cycle. Our results show that AlCl₄ binds strongly with the SWNT to result in an energetically and thermally stable AlCl₄‐adsorbed SWNT system. Diffusion calculations show that the SWNT system allows ultrafast diffusion of AlCl₄ with a more favorable inner surface diffusion than outer surface diffusion. Our charge‐density difference and Bader atomic charge analysis confirm the oxidation of SWNT upon adsorption of AlCl₄, which shows a similar behavior to the previously studied graphite cathode. The average open‐circuit voltage and AlCl₄ storage capacity increases with increasing SWNT diameter and can be as high as 1.96 V and 275 mA h g⁻¹ in (25,25) SWNT relative to graphite (70 mA h g⁻¹). All of these properties show that SWNTs are a potential cathode material for high‐performance Al batteries and should be explored further.     

Two Bulky Conjugated 4′‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4,2′:6′,4′′‐terpyridine‐based Layered Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity

Two new layered complexes with the formulas of {[Cu(H₂O)(HL)₂Cl](NO₃)}_n ( 1 ) and {[Cu(H₂O)₂(HL)₂](NO₃)₂}_n ( 2 ) were solvothermally synthesized by the reactions of the bulky conjugated 4′‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4,2′:6′,4′′‐terpyridine ligand (HL) with different Cu^II salts, which were further used as photocatalysts to achieve hydrogen production from water splitting. Single‐crystal structural analyses reveal that both complexes feature coplanar (4 4) layers with different connection manners between the HL extended Z‐shaped chains. More interestingly, 1 possessing more negative conduction band potential and higher structural stability exhibits a large hydrogen production rate of 2.43 mmol · g^–1 · h^–1, which is four times higher than that of 2 . Thus, the Cu^II‐based coordination polymers modified by the bulky conjugated organic ligand can become potentially promising non‐Pt photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting.     

Atomic‐Layer‐Confined Doping for Atomic‐Level Insights into Visible‐Light Water Splitting

A model of doping confined in atomic layers is proposed for atomic‐level insights into the effect of doping on photocatalysis. Co doping confined in three atomic layers of In₂S₃ was implemented with a lamellar hybrid intermediate strategy. Density functional calculations reveal that the introduction of Co ions brings about several new energy levels and increased density of states at the conduction band minimum, leading to sharply increased visible‐light absorption and three times higher carrier concentration. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that the electron transfer time of about 1.6 ps from the valence band to newly formed localized states is due to Co doping. The 25‐fold increase in average recovery lifetime is believed to be responsible for the increased of electron–hole separation. The synthesized Co‐doped In₂S₃ (three atomic layers) yield a photocurrent of 1.17 mA cm^?2 at 1.5 V vs. RHE, nearly 10 and 17 times higher than that of the perfect In₂S₃ (three atomic layers) and the bulk counterpart, respectively.     

Isolated Square‐Planar Copper Center in Boron Imidazolate Nanocages for Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to value‐added fuel has been considered to be a promising strategy to reduce global warming and shortage of energy. Rational design and synthesis of catalysts to maximumly expose the active sites is the key to activate CO₂ molecules and determine the reaction selectivity. Herein, we synthesize a well‐defined copper‐based boron imidazolate cage (BIF‐29) with six exposed mononuclear copper centers for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. Theoretical calculations show a single Cu site including weak coordinated water delivers a new state in the conduction band near the Fermi level and stabilizes the *COOH intermediate. Steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence spectra show these Cu sites promote the separation of electron–hole pairs and electron transfer. As a result, the cage achieves solar‐driven reduction of CO₂ to CO with an evolution rate of 3334 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and a high selectivity of 82.6 %.     

Water oxidation on N‐Doped TiO2 nanotube arrays

Photocatalytic splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by utilizing solar energy is regarded as an effective strategy to solve oil crisis. By utilizing density functional calculations, we herein present the systemic studies with respect to water splitting mechanism on N‐doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTAs), and focus on activation energy, thermodynamic properties, and effects of N‐doping on reaction process. Our results reveal that the impurity 2p states of doped nitrogen effectively change electronic structure of TiO₂ NTAs, which act as an electron acceptor and facilitate weakly bound electrons of valence band to be easily excited to acceptor level, as well as enhance the first H₂O adsorption and dissociation on the inside wall of N‐doped TiO₂ NTAs. Therefore, it is found that the rate‐determining step of water splitting is the formation reaction of HOO* on N‐doped TiO₂ NTAs rather than the formation of HO* from the first H₂O. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Liquid Water Radiolysis

The early stages of the Coulomb explosion of a doubly ionized water molecule immersed in liquid water are investigated with time‐dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics (TD–DFT MD) simulations. Our aim is to verify that the double ionization of one target water molecule leads to the formation of atomic oxygen as a direct consequence of the Coulomb explosion of the molecule. To that end, we used TD–DFT MD simulations in which effective molecular orbitals are propagated in time. These molecular orbitals are constructed as a unitary transformation of maximally localized Wannier orbitals, and the ionization process was obtained by removing two electrons from the molecular orbitals with symmetry 1B₁, 3A₁, 1B₂ and 2A₁ in turn. We show that the doubly charged H₂O²⁺ molecule explodes into its three atomic fragments in less than 4 fs, which leads to the formation of one isolated oxygen atom whatever the ionized molecular orbital. This process is followed by the ultrafast transfer of an electron to the ionized molecule in the first femtosecond. A faster dissociation pattern can be observed when the electrons are removed from the molecular orbitals of the innermost shell. A Bader analysis of the charges carried by the molecules during the dissociation trajectories is also reported.     

A three‐dimensional polymeric potassium complex of 5‐sulfonobenzene‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid: poly[μ‐aqua‐aqua‐μ9‐(2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoato)‐dipotassium(I)]

The asymmetric unit in the structure of the title compound, [K₂(C₉H₄O₉S)(H₂O)₂]_n, consists of two eight‐coordinated K^I cations, one 2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoate dianion (H₂SBTC²⁻), one bridging water molecule and one terminal coordinated water molecule. One K^I cation is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms and three sulfonate O atoms from four H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by two bridging water molecules. The second K^I cation is coordinated by four sulfonate O atoms and three carboxylate O atoms from five H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by one terminal coordinated water molecule. The K^I cations are linked by sulfonate groups to give a one‐dimensional inorganic chain with cage‐like K₄(SO₃)₂ repeat units. These one‐dimensional chains are bridged by one of the carboxylic acid groups of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligand to form a two‐dimensional layer, and these layers are further linked by the remaining carboxylate groups and the benzene rings of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands to generate a three‐dimensional framework. The compound displays a photoluminescent emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 358 nm. In addition, the thermal stability of the title compound has been studied.     

Determination of the relative ligand‐binding strengths in heteroleptic IrIII complexes by ESI‐Q‐TOF tandem mass spectrometry

An electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer has been utilized to investigate the relative ligand‐binding strengths in a series of heteroleptic‐charged iridium(III) complexes of the general formula [(C^N)₂Ir^III(S‐tpy)](PF₆) by using variable collision energies. Collision‐induced dissociation experiments were performed in order to study the stability of the Ir^III complexes that are, for instance, suitable phosphors in light‐emitting electrochemical cells. The ratio of signal intensities belonging to the fragment and the undissociated complex depends on the collision energy applied for the tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) analysis. By defining the threshold collision energy and the point of complete complex dissociation, it is possible to estimate the relative complex stabilities depending on the nature of the coordinated ligands [i.e. type of cyclometalating ligand (C^N), substituents on the S‐shaped terpyridine (S‐tpy)]. The collision energy values differed as a function of the coordination sphere of the Ir^III centers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly[[[diaqua­zinc(II)]‐bis(μ2‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyano­methyl­ene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κ2N3:N3′)] dihydrate]

The coordination of the 3‐cyano‐4‐dicyano­methyl­ene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olate anion to Zn^II, the apical sites of which are occupied by two water mol­ecules, results in the formation of two‐dimensional layers of the title coordination polymer, {[Zn(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, in which the Zn^II cations lie on inversion centres in space group C2/c, with water ligands in the apical sites of octa­hedral geometry. Hydrogen bonds between coordinated and lattice water mol­ecules, and π–π stacking inter­actions between the anions link adjacent layers into a continuous framework.     

Single‐Site Active Cobalt‐Based Photocatalyst with a Long Carrier Lifetime for Spontaneous Overall Water Splitting

An active and stable photocatalyst to directly split water is desirable for solar‐energy conversion. However, it is difficult to accomplish overall water splitting without sacrificial electron donors. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy via constructing a single site to simultaneously promote charge separation and catalytic activity for robust overall water splitting. A single Co₁‐P₄ site confined on g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets was prepared by a facile phosphidation method, and identified by electron microscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. This coordinatively unsaturated Co site can effectively suppress charge recombination and prolong carrier lifetime by about 20 times relative to pristine g‐C₃N₄, and boost water molecular adsorption and activation for oxygen evolution. This single‐site photocatalyst exhibits steady and high water splitting activity with H₂ evolution rate up to 410.3 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, and quantum efficiency as high as 2.2 % at 500 nm.     

Metall‐π‐Aren‐Wechselwirkungen in den Kristallstrukturen von zwei Lewis‐Donor‐freien Arylbis(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanoiden

Metal‐π‐Arene‐Interactions in the Solid‐State Structures of Two Lewis Donor‐Free Arylbis(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanoids Ar*Yb(C₅H₄Me)₂ ( 1 ) and Ar*SmCp₂ ( 2 ) (Ar* = 2,6‐Mes₂C₆H₃) have been obtained by the reaction of LiAr* with Yb(C₅H₄Me)₃ or SmCp₃ in toluene. Red crystals of 1 and orange crystals of 2 were characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. The lanthanoids are η⁵‐coordinated to the cyclopentadienyl ligands and η¹‐coordinated to the ipso carbon atom of the aryl groups. Additional π‐arene contacts to one mesityl group give rise to a different pyramidalisation of the metal centers, which depends on the size of the central lanthanoid atom.     

Noble‐Metal‐Free Janus‐like Structures by Cation Exchange for Z‐Scheme Photocatalytic Water Splitting under Broadband Light Irradiation

Z‐scheme water splitting is a promising approach based on high‐performance photocatalysis by harvesting broadband solar energy. Its efficiency depends on the well‐defined interfaces between two semiconductors for the charge kinetics and their exposed surfaces for chemical reactions. Herein, we report a facile cation‐exchange approach to obtain compounds with both properties without the need for noble metals by forming Janus‐like structures consisting of γ‐MnS and Cu₇S₄ with high‐quality interfaces. The Janus‐like γ‐MnS/Cu₇S₄ structures displayed dramatically enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production rates of up to 718 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under full‐spectrum irradiation. Upon further integration with an MnO_x oxygen‐evolution cocatalyst, overall water splitting was accomplished with the Janus structures. This work provides insight into the surface and interface design of hybrid photocatalysts, and offers a noble‐metal‐free approach to broadband photocatalytic hydrogen production.