Tuning of visible light-driven CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution activity by using POSS-modified porous organometallic polymers

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 9; no. 31; pp. 16699 - 16705
• Main Authors: Wei-Jia, Wang, Kai-Hong, Chen, Zhi-Wen, Yang, Bo-Wen, Peng, Liang-Nian He
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 21.08.2021
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Catalysts; Chemical reduction; Electron transfer; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Industrial applications; Organometallic polymers; Photochemical reactions; Photochemicals; Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; Polymers; Renewable energy; Surface area; Synthesis gas; Tuning
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta04418d
• ISSN: 2050-7488

Significant efforts have been devoted to the photochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) as a significant pathway for the development of renewable energy systems. However, the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) greatly impedes the fundamental understanding and industrial application of the CO2RR. Herein, we report polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-based porous organometallic polymers (POMPs) that are able to catalyze the photochemical CO2RR to produce syngas. Their surface area, CO2 adsorption ability, visible-light harvesting capacity and photoinduced electron–hole separation efficiency can be regulated by tuning the Re-bipyridine content in POMPs. Consequently, the effects of these properties on CO2RR and HER activities have been investigated and the surface area and electron transfer efficiency of these materials have been elucidated as the key points. Importantly, we also reveal the applicability of the developed strategy in designing new catalysts for the CO2RR.