Impact of interfaces, and nanostructure on the performance of conjugated polymer photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water
McQueen, Ewan and Bai, Yang and Sprick, Reiner Sebastian (2022) Impact of interfaces, and nanostructure on the performance of conjugated polymer photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water. Nanomaterials, 12 (23). 4299. ISSN 2079-4991 (https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234299)
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Abstract
The direct conversion of sunlight into hydrogen through water splitting and by converting carbon dioxide into useful chemical building blocks and fuels has been an active area of research since early reports in the 1970s. Most of the semiconductors that drive these photocatalytic processes have been inorganic semiconductors but since the first report of carbon nitride organic semiconductors have also been considered. Conjugated materials have been relatively extensively studied as photocatalysts for solar fuels generation over the last 5 years due to the synthetic control over composition and properties. The understanding of materials' properties, its impact on performance and underlying factors is still in its infancy. Here, we focus on the impact of interfaces, and nanostructure on fundamental processes which significantly contribute to performance in these organic photocatalysts. In particular, we focus on presenting explicit examples in understanding the interface of polymer photocatalysts with water and how it affects performance. Wetting has been shown to be a clear factor and we present strategies for increased wettability in conjugated polymer photocatalysts through modifications of the material. Furthermore, the limited exciton diffusion length in organic polymers has also been identified to affect the performance of these materials. Addressing this, we also discuss how increased internal and external surface areas increase the activity of organic polymer photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water.
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Item type: Article ID code: 83348 Dates: DateEvent3 December 2022Published29 November 2022Accepted1 November 2022SubmittedSubjects: Science > Chemistry > Physical and theoretical chemistry Department: Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 29 Nov 2022 10:10 Last modified: 19 Aug 2024 09:20 Related URLs: URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/83348