Anthraquinone-Induced asymmetric antimony coordination center for selective O2 photoreduction to H2O2

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 663; pp. 413 - 420
• Main Authors: Miao, Tianchang, Lv, Ximeng, Chen, Fangshuai, Zheng, Gengfeng, Han, Qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Asymmetric antimony coordination center; Explosive crystallization approach; Hydrogen peroxide; Photocatalysis; Polymeric carbon nitride; Explosive crystallization approach; Asymmetric antimony coordination center; Hydrogen peroxide; Photocatalysis; Polymeric carbon nitride
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.175

Anthraquinone-induced asymmetric N3−Sb−O coordination was constructed on C3N4 matrix by a rapid and simple explosive crystallization approach, which contributes to selective O2 photoreduction to H2O2. [Display omitted] Achieving O2 photoreduction to H2O2 with high selectivity control and durability while using easily accessible catalyst requires new synthesis strategies. Herein, we propose an asymmteric Sb coordination active center strategy of introducing anthraquinone (AQ) and heptazine to form local N3 − Sb − O coordination by a rapid and simple explosive crystallization approach, resulting in a mesoporous conjugated heptazine-amide-AQ polymer coordinated Sb (HAAQ-Sb). It is demonstrated that the N3 − Sb − O coordination effectively suppresses the charge recombination and acts as the highly active site for O2 adsorption. Moreover, as-introduced AQ units initiate low-barrier hydrogen transfer through a reversible redox process that triggers highly-efficient H2O2 production. A superior apparent quantum yield of 20.2 % at 400 nm and a remarkable solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 0.71 % are achieved on the optimal HAAQ-Sb, which is the highest among C3N4-based photocatalysts at present. This asymmetric coordination concept and material design method provide new perspectives for the research of novel catalysts toward artificial photosynthesis.