• Zhao, Yuanzhu
• Marken, Frank
• Mascaro, Lucia H.
• Teixeira, Ivo F.
• Carta, Mariolino
• Mckeown, Neil B.

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Polymeric carbon nitrides (C<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>N<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>) are photochemically active organic semiconductors that can be produced in a wide range of structural types. Here, a poly-(heptazine imide) containing nickel single atoms (Ni-PHI) is employed for photochemical hydrogen production and is compared to the non-nickel-doped semiconductor. Film deposits are formed on a platinum disk electrode (to detect hydrogen) and a coating of the molecularly rigid polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-1 is applied to (i) mechanically stabilize the photo-catalyst film without impeding photocatalysis and (ii) assist in the interfacial hydrogen capture/oxygen suppression process. In the presence of hole quenchers such as methanol or ethanol, anodic photocurrents linked to hydrogen production/oxidation are observed. A comparison with an experiment on glassy carbon confirms the formation of interfacial hydrogen as a mediator. The effects of hole quencher concentration are evaluated. The system Pt/Ni-PHI/PIM-1 is employed in a single-compartment photo-fuel cell.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Graphical Abstract</jats:bold></jats:p>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• polymer
• Carbon
• nickel
• experiment
• Oxygen
• Platinum
• semiconductor
• nitride
• Hydrogen
• interfacial