2D Polymers as Emerging Materials for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Abstract

Converting solar energy into storable and transportable chemical fuels using artificial photosynthetic systems can provide an alternative route to the current unsustainable use of fossil fuels, addressing the worldwide energy crisis and environmental issues. Recently, semiconducting polymers have emerged as a very promising class of photocatalysts for water splitting as their electronic and structural properties can be conveniently controlled and systematically designed at a molecular level. Among the various polymer photocatalysts that are reported so far, 2D polymer nanosheets are particularly interesting and gaining more attention. The 2D planar structure offers unique features such as high surface area, abundant surface active sites, efficient charge separation, and facile formation of heterostructures. The design and synthesis of 2D polymer nanosheets have greatly advanced the research in photocatalytic overall water splitting. Here, recent advances in developing photocatalysts based on 2D polymer nanosheets for photocatalytic overall water splitting are highlighted. Specifically, the existing approaches to tune their electronic structures and surface active sites for photocatalysis are discussed. Future opportunities and challenges for developing 2D polymers for photocatalytic overall water splitting are also included.

Molecular Porous Photosystems Tailored for Long‐Term Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…In particular, conjugated organic solids benefit from higher photochemical stability originating from additional molecular geometry constraints . Initiated by the seminal work of Antonietti and co‐workers using carbon nitride as both heterogeneous organic photosensitizer and catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction published in 2009, conjugated polymer photocatalysts are attracting a growing interest . Key for their success is the tunability of the properties of the polymers by copolymerization of tailored monomers for a careful control of light absorption or porosity .…”

Channel‐Rich RuCu Nanosheets for pH‐Universal Overall Water Splitting Electrocatalysis

“…[22][23][24][25] Herein, we report af acile wet chemical method to synthesize channelrich RuCu nanosheets composed of crystallized Ru and amorphous Cu with many accessible channels (denoted as RuCu NSs). [22][23][24][25] Herein, we report af acile wet chemical method to synthesize channelrich RuCu nanosheets composed of crystallized Ru and amorphous Cu with many accessible channels (denoted as RuCu NSs).…”

“…From the viewpoint of structure,t wo-dimensional (2D) structure can provide more opportunities for enhancing the electrochemical performance by offering larger surface and exposing more atoms serving as active sites. [22][23][24][25] Herein, we report af acile wet chemical method to synthesize channelrich RuCu nanosheets composed of crystallized Ru and amorphous Cu with many accessible channels (denoted as RuCu NSs). Theo ptimized RuCu NSs exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance towards OER and HER.…”

Ultrathin Visible‐Light‐Driven Mo Incorporating In2O3–ZnIn2Se4 Z‐Scheme Nanosheet Photocatalysts

“…2D nanosheets with high specific surface area, abundant catalytically active sites, and shorter diffusion length of charge carriers are stimulating a wide range of interests in heterogeneous photocatalysis . Metal chalcogenides (such as In 2 S 3 , In 2 Se 3 , ZnSe, ZnIn 2 S 4 , and CdIn 2 S 4 ) with 2D geometric structure are of significance in acting as visible light response photocatalysts with unique and tunable electronic structure for boosting photocatalytic water splitting.…”