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Aitchison CM, Gonzalez-Carrero S, Yao S, Benkert M, Ding Z, Young NP, Willner B, Moruzzi F, Lin Y, Tian J, Nellist PD, Durrant JR, McCulloch I. Templated 2D Polymer Heterojunctions for Improved Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2300037. [PMID: 37165538 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
2D polymers have emerged as one of the most promising classes of organic photocatalysts for solar fuel production due to their tunability, charge-transport properties, and robustness. They are however difficult to process and so there are limited studies into the formation of heterojunction materials incorporating these components. In this work, a novel templating approach is used to combine an imine-based donor polymer and an acceptor polymer formed through Knoevenagel condensation. Heterojunction formation is shown to be highly dependent on the topological match of the donor and acceptor polymers with the most active templated material found to be between three and nine times more active for photocatalysis than its constituent components. Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that this improvement is due to faster charge separation and more efficient charge extraction in the templated heterojunction. The templated material shows a very high hydrogen evolution rate of >20 mmol h-1 m-2 with an ascorbic acid hole scavenger but also produces hydrogen in the presence of only water and a cobalt-based redox mediator. This suggests the improved charge-separation interface and reduced trapping accessed through this approach could be suitable for Z-scheme formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Aitchison
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Soranyel Gonzalez-Carrero
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Shilin Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Max Benkert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Zhiyuan Ding
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, 16 Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Neil P Young
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, 16 Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Benjamin Willner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Floriana Moruzzi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Yuanbao Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Junfu Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Peter D Nellist
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, 16 Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - James R Durrant
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
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Wilson AA, Hart L, Shalvey T, Sachs M, Xu W, Moss B, Mazzolini E, Mumtaz A, Durrant JR. Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that slow bimolecular recombination in SrTiO 3 underpins its efficient photocatalytic performance. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13579-13582. [PMID: 37905723 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04616h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The charge carrier dynamics of SrTiO3 are measured by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, revealing bimolecular recombination kinetics that are at least two magnitudes slower than alternative metal oxides. This slow recombination is associated with its high dielectric constant, and suggested to be central to SrTiO3's high performance in photocatalytic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Lucy Hart
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Thomas Shalvey
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZF, UK
| | - Michael Sachs
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Weidong Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Benjamin Moss
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Eva Mazzolini
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
| | - Asim Mumtaz
- School of Physics, Electronics & Technology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - James R Durrant
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK.
- Specific IKC, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 7AX, UK
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Wan X, Pan Y, Xu Y, Liu J, Chen H, Pan R, Zhao Y, Su P, Li Y, Zhang X, Zhang S, Li H, Su D, Weng Y, Zhang J. Ultralong Lifetime of Plasmon-Excited Electrons Realized in Nonepitaxial/Epitaxial Au@CdS/CsPbBr 3 Triple-Heteronanocrystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2207555. [PMID: 36353881 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Combination of the strong light-absorbing power of plasmonic metals with the superior charge carrier dynamics of halide perovskites is appealing for bio-inspired solar-energy conversion due to the potential to acquire long-lived plasmon-induced hot electrons. However, the direct coupling of these two materials, with Au/CsPbBr3 heteronanocrystals (HNCs) as a prototype, results in severe suppression of plasmon resonances. The present work shows that interfacial engineering is a key knob for overcoming this impediment, based on the creation of a CdS mediate layer between Au and CsPbBr3 forming atomically organized Au-CdS and CdS-CsPbBr3 interfaces by nonepitaxial/epitaxial combined strategy. Transient spectroscopy studies demonstrate that the resulting Au@CdS/CsPbBr3 HNCs generate remarkably long-lived plasmon-induced charge carriers with lifetime up to nanosecond timescale, which is several orders of magnitude longer than those reported for colloidal plasmonic metal-semiconductor systems. Such long-lived carriers extracted from plasmonic antennas enable to drive CO2 photoreduction with efficiency outperforming previously reported CsPbBr3 -based photocatalysts. The findings disclose a new paradigm for achieving much elongated time windows to harness the substantial energy of transient plasmons through realization of synergistic coupling of plasmonic metals and halide perovskites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Wan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yue Pan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yanjun Xu
- The Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Hailong Chen
- The Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, P. R. China
| | - Rongrong Pan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yizhou Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Peiwu Su
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yuemei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xiuming Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Shuping Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Hongbo Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Dong Su
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Yuxiang Weng
- The Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jiatao Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction-Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
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Lv J, Xie J, Mohamed AGA, Zhang X, Feng Y, Jiao L, Zhou E, Yuan D, Wang Y. Solar utilization beyond photosynthesis. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 7:91-105. [PMID: 37117911 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00448-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Natural photosynthesis is an efficient biochemical process which converts solar energy into energy-rich carbohydrates. By understanding the key photoelectrochemical processes and mechanisms that underpin natural photosynthesis, advanced solar utilization technologies have been developed that may be used to provide sustainable energy to help address climate change. The processes of light harvesting, catalysis and energy storage in natural photosynthesis have inspired photovoltaics, photoelectrocatalysis and photo-rechargeable battery technologies. In this Review, we describe how advanced solar utilization technologies have drawn inspiration from natural photosynthesis, to find sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by modern society. We summarize the uses of advanced solar utilization technologies, such as converting solar energy to electrical and chemical energy, electrochemical storage and conversion, and associated thermal tandem technologies. Both the foundational mechanisms and typical materials and devices are reported. Finally, potential future solar utilization technologies are presented that may mimic, and even outperform, natural photosynthesis.
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Wang J, Xue P, Jiang Y, Huo Y, Zhan X. The principles, design and applications of fused-ring electron acceptors. Nat Rev Chem 2022; 6:614-634. [PMID: 37117709 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-022-00409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) have a donor-acceptor-donor structure comprising an electron-donating fused-ring core, electron-accepting end groups, π-bridges and side chains. FREAs possess beneficial features, such as feasibility to tailor their structures, high property tunability, strong visible and near-infrared light absorption and excellent n-type semiconducting characteristics. FREAs have initiated a revolution to the field of organic solar cells in recent years. FREA-based organic solar cells have achieved unprecedented efficiencies, over 20%, which breaks the theoretical efficiency limit of traditional fullerene acceptors (~13%), and boast potential operational lifetimes approaching 10 years. Based on the original studies of FREAs, a variety of new structures, mechanisms and applications have flourished. In this Review, we introduce the fundamental principles of FREAs, including their structures and inherent electronic and physical properties. Next, we discuss the way in which the properties of FREAs can be modulated through variations to the electronic structure or molecular packing. We then present the current applications and consider the future areas that may benefit from developments in FREAs. Finally, we conclude with the position of FREA chemistry, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that may arise in the future of this burgeoning field.
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Visible Light Reductive Photocatalysis of Azo-Dyes with n-n Junctions Based on Chemically Deposited CdS. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092924. [PMID: 35566275 PMCID: PMC9105509 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
New composite photocatalysts have been obtained by chemical bath deposition of CdS on top of either nanostructured crystalline ZrO2 or TiO2 films previously deposited on conductive glass FTO. Their morphological, photoelectrochemical and photochemical properties have been investigated and compared. Time resolved spectroscopic, techniques show that in FTO/TiO2/CdS films the radiative recombination of charges, separated by visible illumination of CdS, is faster than in FTO/ZrO2/CdS, evidencing that carrier dynamics in the two systems is different. Photoelectrochemical investigation evidence a suppression of electron collection in ZrO2/CdS network, whereas electron injection from CdS to TiO2 is very efficient since trap states of TiO2 act as a reservoir for long lived electrons storage. This ability of FTO/TiO2/CdS films is used in the reductive cleavage of N=N bonds of some azo-dyes by visible light irradiation, with formation and accumulation of reduced aminic intermediates, identified by ESI-MS analysis. Needed protons are provided by sodium formate, a good hole scavenger that leaves no residue upon oxidation. FTO/TiO2/CdS has an approximately 100 meV driving force larger than FTO/ZrO2/CdS under illumination for azo-dye reduction and it is always about 10% more active than the seconds. The films showed very high stability and recyclability, ease of handling and recovering.
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