Single-atom nickel terminating sp2 and sp3 nitride in polymeric carbon nitride for visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting

Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has been widely used as a metal-free photocatalyst for solar hydrogen generation from water. However, rapid charge carrier recombination and sluggish water catalysis kinetics have greatly limited its photocatalytic performance for overall water splitting. Herein, a single-atom Ni terminating agent was introduced to coordinate with the heptazine units of PCN to create new hybrid orbitals. Both theoretical calculation and experimental evidence revealed that the new hybrid orbitals synergistically broadened visible light absorption via a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) process, and accelerated the separation and transfer of photoexcited electrons and holes. The obtained single-atom Ni terminated PCN (PCNNi), without an additional cocatalyst loading, realized efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting into easily-separated gas-product H₂ and liquid-product H₂O₂ under visible light, with evolution rates reaching 26.6 and 24.0 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. It was indicated that single-atom Ni and the neighboring C atom served as water oxidation and reduction active sites, respectively, for overall water splitting via a two-electron reaction pathway.

Single-atom Ni terminating agent is introduced to coordinate with sp² or sp³ N atoms in the heptazine units of PCN, realizing visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting to H₂O₂ and H₂ without additional cocatalyst.     

Sulfone-Modified Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabling Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation via One-Step Two-Electron O2 Reduction

Photocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) offers a promising hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) synthetic strategy, especially the one-step two-electron (2e⁻) ORR route holds great potential in achieving highly efficient and selectivity. However, efficient one-step 2e⁻ ORR is rarely harvested and the underlying mechanism for regulating the ORR pathways remains greatly obscure. Here, by loading sulfone units into covalent organic frameworks (FS-COFs), we present an efficient photocatalyst for H₂O₂ generation via one-step 2e⁻ ORR from pure water and air. Under visible light irradiation, FS-COFs exert a superb H₂O₂ yield of 3904.2 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, outperforming most reported metal-free catalysts under similar conditions. Experimental and theoretical investigation reveals that the sulfone units accelerate the separation of photoinduced electron-hole (e⁻-h⁺) pairs, enhance the protonation of COFs, and promote O₂ adsorption in the Yeager-type, which jointly alters the reaction process from two-step 2e⁻ ORR to the one-step one, thereby achieving efficient H₂O₂ generation with high selectivity.     

钙钛矿氧化物H1.9K0.3La0.5Bi0.1Ta2O7和Pt/WO3组成的Z体系下完全光解水性能

以质子化层状钙钛矿氧化物H_1.9K_0.3La_0.5Bi_0.1Ta₂O₇ (HKLBT)作为产氢催化剂, Pt/WO₃作为产氧催化材料进行Z 型体系下完全分解水反应. 考察了不同载流子传递介质及不同载流子浓度对反应活性的影响. 结果表明, 以Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺为载流子传递介质时可以实现水的完全分解(H₂/O₂体积比为2:1), 8 mmol·L^-1的FeCl₃作为初始载流子传递介质时, 产氢、产氧活性分别为66.8和31.8 μmol·h^-1, 氢氧体积比为2.1:1. 受光催化材料对载流子传递介质氧化还原速度的限制, 过高的载流子传递介质浓度并不能提高光催化活性.     

Strategy of Graphdiyne (g−CnH2n-2 ) Preparation Coupling with the Flower-Like NiAl-LDH Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution**

Graphdiyne (g−C_nH_2n-2), a novel two-dimension carbon allotrope material composed of a sp- and sp²-hybrid carbon network, has been widely explored since it was synthesized for the first time by Li's group in 2010. A series distinct and excellent properties bestow graphdiyne excellent performance in many fields. Here, an innovative progress for preparing graphdiyne by using Cu⁺ contained material as catalyst is reported and the composite CuI-GD is coupled with flower-like NiAl-LDH to produce H₂ from photocatalytic water splitting. The results of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy together reveal that graphdiyne nanosheets are synthesized successfully by employing a cross-coupling method. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance shows that the hydrogen production activity of CuI-GD/NiAl-LDH has a 15- and 216-fold enhancement compared with CuI-GD and NiAl-LDH, respectively. A series of characterizations are carried out to expound the underlying reasons in the enhancement of the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of CuI-GD/NiAl-LDH. Meanwhile, a possible mechanism for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution process was proposed to understand the interaction among these materials.     

Heterogeneous degradation of toxic organic pollutants by hydrophobic copper Schiff-base complex under visible irradiation

A hydrophobic complex of Cu2+[bis-salicylic aldehyde-o-phenylenediamine],Cu-SPA,was prepared and used as a heterogeneous photocatalyst to degrade organic pollutants in water under visible irradiation(420 nm)at neutral pH.The structure of complex was characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),elemental analysis,IR and UV-vis spectrometries.Degradation of Rhodamine B(RhB),Sulforhodamine B(SRB)and Benzoic acid(BA)in water were used as model reactions to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of Cu-SPA.The results indicated that RhB and SRB were easily adsorbed on the hydrophobic surface of Cu-SPA from aqueous solution(the maximum adsorption amount:Qmax=11.09 and 8.05μmol/g,respectively).Under visible irradiation,RhB and SRB were decolorized completely after 210 and 240 min,respectively,and BA was removed completely after 5 h.The efficiency of H2O2was>95%,in contrast to that of the reaction without catalyst or light(<20%).In water soluble medium,the hydrophobic Cu-SPA can be used more than 6 cycles.ESR results and the behavior of cyclic voltammetry showed that,in the reaction process,Cu2+-SPA was reduced to intermediate state Cu+-SPA firstly,which was extremely unstable and reacted rapidly with H2O2,leading to high reactive oxygen species(·OH radical)to degrade the substrate.     

Van der Waals Heterostructures Comprised of Ultrathin Polymer Nanosheets for Efficient Z‐Scheme Overall Water Splitting

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, Z‐scheme photocatalytic systems are very appealing for achieving efficient overall water splitting. Developing metal‐free Z‐scheme photocatalysts for overall water splitting, however, still remains challenging. The construction of polymer‐based van der Waals heterostructures as metal‐free Z‐scheme photocatalytic systems for overall water splitting is described using aza‐fused microporous polymers (CMP) and C₂N ultrathin nanosheets as O₂‐ and H₂‐evolving catalysts, respectively. Although neither polymer is able to split pure water using visible light, a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio of H₂ and O₂ was observed when aza‐CMP/C₂N heterostructures were used. A solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of 0.23 % was determined, which could be further enhanced to 0.40 % by using graphene as the solid electron mediator to promote the interfacial charge‐transfer process. This study highlights the potential of polymer photocatalysts for overall water splitting.     

A Polypyridyl‐Based Layered Complex as Dual‐Functional Co‐catalyst for Photo‐Driven Organic Dyes Degradation and Water Splitting

With the ever‐increasing concerns on environmental pollution and energy crisis, it is of great urgency to develop high‐performance photocatalyst to eliminate organic pollutants from wastewater and produce hydrogen via water splitting. Herein, a polypyridyl‐based mixed covalent Cu^I/II complex with triangular {Cu₃} and rhombic {Cu₂Cl₄} subunits alternately extended by mixed SCN^– and Cl^– heterobridges [Cu₄(DNP)(SCN)Cl₄]_n ( 1 ) [DNP = 2,6‐bis(1,8‐naphthyridine‐2‐yl)pyridine] was solvothermally synthesized and employed as a dual‐functional co‐photocatalyst. Resulting from a narrowed band‐gap of 1.07 eV with suitable redox potential and unsaturated Cu^I/II sites, the complex together with H₂O₂ can effectively degrade Rhodamine B and methyl orange up to 87.4 and 88.2 %, respectively. Meanwhile, the complex mixed with H₂PtCl₆ can also accelerate the photocatalytic water splitting in the absence of a photosensitizer with the hydrogen production rate of 27.5 μmol · g^–1 · h^–1. These interesting findings may provide informative hints for the design of the multiple responsive photocatalysts.     

A Hydrogen Farm Strategy for Scalable Solar Hydrogen Production with Particulate Photocatalysts

Scalable solar hydrogen production by water splitting using particulate photocatalysts is promising for renewable energy utilization. However, photocatalytic overall water splitting is challenging owing to slow water oxidation kinetics, severe reverse reaction, and H₂/O₂ gas separation. Herein, mimicking nature photosynthesis, a practically feasible approach named Hydrogen Farm Project (HFP) is presented, which is composed of solar energy capturing and hydrogen production subsystems integrated by a shuttle ion loop, Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺. Well‐defined BiVO₄ crystals with precisely tuned {110}/{010} facets are ideal photocatalysts to realize the HFP, giving up to 71 % quantum efficiency for photocatalytic water oxidation and full forward reaction with nearly no reverse reaction. An overall solar‐to‐chemical efficiency over 1.9 % and a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency exceeding 1.8 % could be achieved. Furthermore, a scalable HFP panel for solar energy storage was demonstrated under sunlight outdoors.     

Mechanistic features of reduction of copper chromite and state of absorbed hydrogen in the structure of reduced copper chromite

The review discusses the experimental data on the unusual mechanism of the reduction of copper cations from the copper chromite, CuCr₂O₄, structure. Treatment of copper chromite in hydrogen at 180–370°C is not accompanied by water formation but leads to absorption of hydrogen by the oxide structure with simultaneous formation of metallic copper as small flat particles which are epitaxially bound to the oxide. This process is due to the redox reaction Cu²⁺ + H₂ → Cu⁰ + 2H⁺; the protons are stabilized in the oxide phase, which is confirmed by neutron diffraction studies. The reduced copper chromite which contains absorbed hydrogen in its oxidized state and the metallic copper particles epitaxially bound to the oxide phase structure exhibit catalytic activity in hydrogenation reactions.     

A Multiple Structure‐Design Strategy towards Ultrathin Niobate Perovskite Nanosheets with Thickness‐Dependent Photocatalytic Hydrogen‐Evolution Performance

Hydrogen production by catalytic water splitting using sunlight holds great promise for clean and sustainable energy source. Despite the efforts made in the past decades, challenges still exist in pursuing solid catalysts with light‐harvesting capacity, large surface areas and efficient utilities of the photogenerated carrier, at the same time. Here, a multiple structure design strategy leading to highly enhanced photocatalytic performance on hydrogen production from water splitting in Dion–Jacobson perovskites KCa₂Na_{n ‐3}Nb_n O_{3n +1} is described. Specifically, chemical doping (N/Nb⁴⁺) of the parent oxides via ammoniation improved the ability of sunlight harvesting efficiently; subsequent liquid exfoliation of the doped perovskites yielded ultrathin [Ca₂Na_{n ‐3}Nb_n O_{3n +1}]⁻ nanosheets with greatly increased surface areas. Significantly, the maximum hydrogen evolution appears in the n =4 nanosheets, which suggests the most favorable thickness for charge separation in such perovskite‐type catalysts. The optimized black N/Nb⁴⁺‐[Ca₂NaNb₄O₁₃]⁻ nanosheets show greatly enhanced photocatalytic performance, as high as 973 μmol h⁻¹ with Pt loading, on hydrogen evolution from water splitting. As a proof‐of‐concept, this work highlights the feasibility of combining various chemical strategies towards better catalysts and precise thickness control of two‐dimensional materials.     

The stereochemistry of Tutton's salts X2[M(H2O)6](YO4)2

Neutron structure determinations have been made of Tutton's salts, X₂[M(H₂O)₆] (YO₄)₂, where Y = Se, X = K⁺, M = Cu²⁺; Y = S, X = K⁺, M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; X = Rb⁺, Cs⁺, M = Cu²⁺. This work has shown that there are extensive hydrogen networks with almost linear hydrogen bonds from [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ to (YO₄)^2?. The (H … O) distance increases in the Cu²⁺ series for X = K⁺ to Cs⁺ but there is no difference for the potassium copper salts when Y = Se or S. Three different distorted [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra were found in the series (orthorhombic, tetragonal with two long and four short, or four long and two short bonds). The interatomic distances from X⁺ to the neighboring O in a distorted XO₈⁺ dodecahedron increases with increased cation size, implying that the X⁺ polyhedron is maintaining its shape.     

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Poly(triazine imide)

Poly(triazine imide) was synthesized with incorporation of Li⁺ and Cl^? ions (PTI/Li⁺Cl^?) to form a carbon nitride derivative. The synthesis of this material by the temperature‐induced condensation of dicyandiamide was examined both in a eutectic mixture of LiCl–KCl and without KCl. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction measurements of the synthesized materials, we suggest that a stoichiometric amount of LiCl is necessary to obtain the PTI/Li⁺Cl^? phase without requiring the presence of KCl at 873 K. PTI/Li⁺Cl^? with modification by either Pt or CoO_x as cocatalyst photocatalytically produced H₂ or O₂, respectively, from water. The production of H₂ or O₂ from water indicates that the valence and conduction bands of PTI/Li⁺Cl^? were properly located to achieve overall water splitting. The treatment of PTI/Li⁺Cl^? with [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations enabled the deposition of Pt through ion exchange, demonstrating photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution, while treatment with [PtCl₆]^2? anions resulted in no Pt deposition. This was most likely because of the preferential exchange between Li⁺ ions and [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations.     

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.     

Thiourea based conjugated polymer fluorescent chemosensor for Cu+ and its use for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose

A novel conjugated polymer, poly(1), containing thiourea moieties in main chain is synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction. The addition of cuprous ion quenches the fluorescence of poly(1), whereas the fluorescence changes slightly upon addition of other metal ions, exhibiting the fluorescent almost turn-off sensing ability towards Cu⁺. When hydrogen peroxide was added to the solution containing poly(1) and Cu⁺, Cu⁺ was oxidized into Cu²⁺, resulting in the fluorescence recovery. The H₂O₂ released from glucose oxidation by glucose oxidase (GOD) also recovered the fluorescence of poly(1)/Cu⁺ solution. The results indicated that the poly(1)/Cu⁺ solution could serve as a sensing platform for hydrogen peroxide and glucose.     

Phenazine-based Compound Realizing Separate Hydrogen and Oxygen Production in Electrolytic Water Splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting powered by renewable energy is a sustainable approach for hydrogen production. However, conventional water electrolysis may suffer from gas mixing, and the different kinetics between hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) will limit the direct use of unstable renewable energies, leading to increased cost of H₂ production. Herein, a novel phenazine-based compound is synthesized to develop the solid-state redox mediator associated water splititng process, and thus decoupling the H₂ and O₂ production in acid solution without the use of membrane. Excitingly, this organic redox mediator exhibits high specific capacity (290 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹), excellent rate performance (186 mAh g⁻¹ at 30 A g⁻¹) and long cycle life (3000 cycles) due to its π-conjugated aromatic structure and the fast kinetics of H⁺ storage/release process. Furthermore, a membrane-free decoupled water electrolysis architecture driven by solar energy is achieved, demonstrating high-purity H₂ production at different times.     

MOFs Conferred with Transient Metal Centers for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Highly effective photocatalysts for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction were developed by conferring the linkers of NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), a metal–organic framework (MOF) constructed from TiO_x clusters and 2‐aminoterephthalic acid (linkers), with active copper centers. This design enables effective transfer of electrons from the linkers to the transient Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ centers, leading to 7000‐fold and 27‐fold increase of carrier density and lifetime of photogenerated charges, respectively, as well as high‐rate production of H₂ under visible‐light irradiation. This work provides a novel design of a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution using non‐noble Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ as co‐catalysts.     

Purification of Hydrogen from CO with Cu/ZSM-5 Adsorbents

The transition to a hydrogen economy requires the development of cost-effective methods for purifying hydrogen from CO. In this study, we explore the possibilities of Cu/ZSM-5 as an adsorbent for this purpose. Samples obtained by cation exchange from aqueous solution (AE) and solid-state exchange with CuCl (SE) were characterized by in situ EPR and FTIR, H₂-TPR, CO-TPD, etc. The AE samples possess mainly isolated Cu²⁺ cations not adsorbing CO. Reduction generates Cu⁺ sites demonstrating different affinity to CO, with the strongest centres desorbing CO at about 350 °C. The SE samples have about twice higher Cu/Al ratios, as one H⁺ is exchanged with one Cu⁺ cation. Although some of the introduced Cu⁺ sites are oxidized to Cu²⁺ upon contact with air, they easily recover their original oxidation state after thermal treatment in vacuum or under inert gas stream. In addition, these Cu⁺ centres regenerate at relatively low temperatures. It is important that water does not block the CO adsorption sites because of the formation of Cu⁺(CO)(H₂O)_x complexes. Dynamic adsorption studies show that Cu/ZSM-5 selectively adsorbs CO in the presence of hydrogen. The results indicate that the SE samples are very perspective materials for purification of H₂ from CO.     

Promoting Solar-driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production over Thiazole-based Conjugated Polymers via Generating and Converting Singlet Oxygen

Solar-driven synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) from water and air provides a low-cost and eco-friendly alternative route to the traditional anthraquinone method. Herein, four thiazole-based conjugated polymers (Tz-CPs: TTz , BTz , TBTz and BBTz ) are synthesized via aldimine condensation. BBTz exhibits the highest H₂O₂ production rate of 7274 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in pure water. Further, the reaction path is analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) and theoretical calculation, highlighting the prominent role of singlet oxygen (¹O₂). The generation of ¹O₂ occurs through the oxidation of superoxide radical (⋅O₂⁻) and subsequent conversion into endoperoxides via [4+2] cycloaddition over BBTz , which promotes charge separation and reduces the barrier for H₂O₂ production. This work provides new insight into the mechanism of photocatalytic O₂ reduction and the molecular design of superior single-polymer photocatalysts.     

Substituent Effect to Fine-Tune Energy Levels of Atom-Precise [MoOS3]2− Modified Copper(I) Thiolate Clusters Boosting Recyclable Photocatalysis

The propulsion of photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production is limited by the rational design and regulation of catalysts with precise structures and excellent activities. In this work, the [MoOS₃]²⁻ unit is introduced into the Cu^I clusters to form a series of atomically-precise Mo^VI−Cu^I bimetallic clusters of [Cu₆(MoOS₃)₂(C₆H₅(CH₂)S)₂(P(C₆H₄−R)₃)₄] ⋅ xCH₃CN (R=H, CH₃, or F), which show high photocatalytic H₂ evolution activities and excellent stability. By electron push-pull effects of the surface ligand, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of these Mo^VI−Cu^I clusters can be finely tuned, promoting the resultant visible-light-driven H₂ evolution performance. Furthermore, Mo^VI−Cu^I clusters loaded onto the surface of magnetic Fe₃O₄ carriers significantly reduced the loss of catalysts in the collection process, efficiently addressing the recycling issues of such small cluster-based catalyst. This work not only highlights a competitively universal approach on the design of high-efficiency cluster photocatalysts for energy conversion, but also makes it feasible to manipulate the catalytic performance of clusters through a rational substituent strategy.     

Gold photocatalysis in sustainable hydrogen peroxide generation

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a mild and green oxidant widely employed in organic syntheses, medical sector, disinfection, pulp bleaching, environmental remediation and biological processes. However, its production via the expensive, multistep and energy intensive anthraquinone process renders it less sustainable. Photocatalysis is a viable, sustainable and promising strategy to produce H₂O₂ from green sources: water and molecular O₂. This article presents key developments of photocatalytic H₂O₂ generation using gold (Au) nanoparticles supported on semiconductor photocatalysts. Several photocatalytic systems containing Au nanoparticles and the roles of Au nanoparticles in enhancing photocatalytic H₂O₂ generation including increasing the visible light absorption, facilitating the charge carrier separation and transfer, and as catalytic active sites are discussed. Factors defining the photocatalytic activity such as the effects of Au particle size and loading, localised surface plasmon resonance, mixed-gold component, and the design of photocatalysts are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for further developments of Au photocatalysis in sustainable H₂O₂ synthesis as well as other related applications are highlighted.