Covalent Networking of a Conjugated-Polymer Photocatalyst to Promote Exciton Diffusion in the Aqueous Phase for Efficient Hydrogen Production

Sanghyeok An, Syed Zahid Hassan, Jin Woo Jung, Hyojung Cha, Chang Hee Cho, Dae Sung Chung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A conjugated polymer particle in an aqueous phase is covalently networked in 3D by crosslinking with azide groups, leading to significantly enhanced activity—a high photocatalytic H2 evolution rate (11 024 µmol g−1 h−1 (λ > 420 nm)) and a high apparent quantum yield (up to 0.8%). The reaction between the photoactive azide and the alkyl chains of the conjugated polymer provides more intact intermolecular polymeric interactions in the colloidal state, thus preventing physical swelling and inhibiting the recombination of photoproduced carriers. The covalent network efficiently promotes exciton diffusion, which greatly facilitates charge separation and transfer. The azide photo-crosslinking also leads to more compact and better-packed nanoparticles in the aqueous phase and efficient transfer of excitons to the outer surface of the nanoparticles, where photocatalytic reactions occur. These results show that photo-crosslinking can suppress the adverse effects of alkyl chains which inhibit photocatalytic performance. Therefore, covalent crosslinking is a promising strategy for the development of solar and hydrogen energy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2200010
JournalSmall Methods
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Apr 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Keywords

  • conjugated polymer nanoparticles
  • hydrogen evolution
  • organic semiconductors
  • photo-crosslinking
  • photocatalysts

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Covalent Networking of a Conjugated-Polymer Photocatalyst to Promote Exciton Diffusion in the Aqueous Phase for Efficient Hydrogen Production'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this