Conjugated Polymers with Oligoethylene Glycol Side Chains for Improved Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

• Published in: iScience Vol. 13; pp. 33 - 42
• Main Authors: Hu, Zhicheng, Wang, Zhenfeng, Zhang, Xi, Tang, Haoran, Liu, Xiaocheng, Huang, Fei, Cao, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 29.03.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Electrochemical Energy Conversion; Organic Chemistry Methods; Polymer Chemistry; Polymers; Electrochemical Energy Conversion; Polymer Chemistry; Polymers; Organic Chemistry Methods
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.02.007

Conjugated polymers are emerging as promising organic photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water. However, it is still very challenging for conjugated polymers to realize highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, we demonstrate an efficient strategy of hydrophilic side chain functionalization to boost the hydrogen evolution rates of conjugated polymers. By functionalizing conjugated polymers with hydrophilic oligo (ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (OEG) side chains, a 90-fold improvement in hydrogen evolution rate has been achieved than that of alkyl-functionalized conjugated polymer. It is found that the OEG side chains interact robustly with Pt co-catalysts, resulting in more efficient charge transfer. Moreover, OEG side chains in conjugated polymers can adsorb H+ from water, resulting in significantly lowered energy levels on the surfaces of conjugated polymers, which enables cascade energy levels and enhances charge separation and photocatalytic performance. Our results indicate that rational side-chain engineering could facilitate the design of improved organic photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. [Display omitted] •Conjugated polymers with oligoethylene glycol side chains are prepared•Oligoethylene glycol side chains improve photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates•Oligoethylene glycol side chains interact robustly with Pt co-catalysts•Oligoethylene glycol side chains enable cascade energy levels Polymer Chemistry; Organic Chemistry Methods; Electrochemical Energy Conversion; Polymers