Synergy of crystallinity modulation and intercalation engineering in carbon nitride for boosted H2O2 photosynthesis

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 120; no. 6; p. 1
• Main Authors: Liu, Lian-Lian, Chen, Fei, Wu, Jing-Hang, Chen, Jie-Jie, Yu, Han-Qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington National Academy of Sciences 07.02.2023
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Anthraquinone; Anthraquinones; Carbon; Carbon nitride; Charge transfer; Computer applications; Crystallinity; Current carriers; Electromagnetic absorption; Electronic structure; Energy conservation; Environmental cleanup; Hydrogen peroxide; Intercalation; Oxygen; Photosynthesis; Physical Sciences; Polymers; Potassium; Recombination; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215305120

Photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by selective oxygen reduction is a green and cost-effective alternative to the energy-intensive anthraquinone process. Although inexpensive polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) exhibits the ability to produce H2O2, its disordered and amorphous structure leads to a high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers and hinders charge transfer between layers. Herein, we predict that stacked polymeric g-C3N4 with ion intercalation (K+ and I–) can improve carrier separation and transfer by multiscale computational simulations. The electronic structures of g-C3N4 were tailored and modified by intercalating K+ and I– into the layer-by-layer structures. Guided by the computational predictions, we achieved efficient solar-driven H2O2 production by employing this facile and ion-intercalated crystalline g-C3N4. An H2O2 production rate of 13.1 mM g−1 h−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 23.6% at 400 nm were obtained. The synergistic effects of crystallinity regulation and dual interstitial doping engineering triggered the formation of new light absorption centers, the establishment of rapid charge diffusion channels, and the enhancement of two-electron oxygen reduction characteristics. This work sheds light on the dual tuning of crystallinity and electronic structure and broadens the design principles of organic-conjugated polymer photocatalysts for environmental remediation and energy conservation.