Effect of Li ions doping into p-type semiconductor NiO as a hole injection/transfer medium in the CO2 reduction sensitized/catalyzed by Zn-porphyrin/Re-complex upon visible light irradiation

Molecular Characteristics of Water-Insoluble Tin-Porphyrins for Designing the One-Photon-Induced Two-Electron Oxidation of Water in Artificial Photosynthesis

Faced with the new stage of water oxidation by molecular catalysts (MCs) in artificial photosynthesis to overcome the bottle neck issue, the "Photon-flux density problem of sunlight," a two-electron oxidation process forming H₂O₂ in place of the conventional four-electron oxidation evolving O₂ has attracted much attention. The molecular characteristics of tin(IV)-tetrapyridylporphyrin (SnTPyP), as one of the most promising MCs for the two-electron water oxidation, has been studied in detail. The protolytic equilibria among nine species of SnTPyP, with eight pK_a values on the axial ligands' water molecules and peripheral pyridyl nitrogen atoms in both the ground and excited states, have been clarified through the measurements of UV-vis, fluorescence, ¹H NMR, and dynamic fluorescence decay behaviour. The oxidation potentials in the Pourbaix diagram and spin densities by DFT calculation of the one-electron oxidized form of each nine species have predicted that the fully deprotonated species ([SnTPyP(O^-)₂]^2-) and the singly deprotonated one ([SnTPyP(OH)(O^-)]^-) serve as the most favourable MCs for visible light-induced two-electron water oxidation when they are adsorbed on TiO₂ for H₂ formation or SnO₂ for Z-scheme CO₂ reduction in the molecular catalyst sensitized system of artificial photosynthesis.

Porphyrins and phthalocyanines as biomimetic tools for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction

The increasing energy demand and environmental issues caused by the over-exploitation of fossil fuels render the need for renewable, clean, and environmentally benign energy sources unquestionably urgent. The zero-emission energy carrier, H₂ is an ideal alternative to carbon-based fuels especially when it is generated photocatalytically from water. Additionally, the photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into chemical fuels can reduce the CO₂ emissions and have a positive environmental and economic impact. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, plenty of artificial photocatalytic schemes based on porphyrinoids have been investigated. This review covers the recent advances in photocatalytic H₂ production and CO₂ reduction systems containing porphyrin or phthalocyanine derivatives. The unique properties of porphyrinoids enable their utilization both as chromophores and as catalysts. The homogeneous photocatalytic systems are initially described, presenting the various approaches for the improvement of photosensitizing activity and the enhancement of catalytic performance at the molecular level. On the other hand, for the development of the heterogeneous systems, numerous methods were employed such as self-assembled supramolecular porphyrinoid nanostructures, construction of organic frameworks, combination with 2D materials and adsorption onto semiconductors. The dye sensitization on semiconductors opened the way for molecular-based dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) devices based on porphyrins and phthalocyanines. The research in photocatalytic systems as discussed herein remains challenging since there are still many limitations making them unfeasible to be used at a large scale application before finding a large-scale application.

Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CH4 on Tri-s-triazine-Based Carbon Nitride via Defects and Crystal Regulation: Synergistic Effect of Thermodynamics and Kinetics

Realizing the high selectivity of CH₄ from the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ RR) remains a great challenge owing to the lower efficiency of multi-electron transfer and the similar thermodynamic properties of CH₄ and CO. Herein, nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets were prepared via the high-temperature crystalline phase transformation process. Optimizing crystallinity enhances the in-plane polarization along the a-axis. Owing to the increased electron density of the N defect, the kinetic possibilities of CH₄ production have increased. Furthermore, the potential energy of the mid-gap states introduced by the N defect favors the thermodynamics of CH₄ production. The selectivity values of CH₄ based on yield and electrons are 87.1 and 96.4%. This work unravels the mechanism to selectively produce CH₄ from CO₂ photoreduction through the crystalline phase and defect regulation and provides significant guidance for the rational design of CO₂ reduction photocatalysts for selective CH₄ production.