Semiconducting Polymers for Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Light Illumination

Abstract

Sunlight-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel has stimulated intensive scientific interest, as this technology has the potential to revolutionize fossil fuel-based energy systems in modern society. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) determines the performance of overall water splitting owing to its sluggish kinetics with multielectron transfer processing. Polymeric photocatalysts have recently been developed for the OER, and substantial progress has been realized in this emerging research field. In this Review, the focus is on the photocatalytic technologies and materials of polymeric photocatalysts for the OER. Two practical systems, namely, particle suspension systems and film-based photoelectrochemical systems, form two main sections. The concept is reviewed in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics, and polymeric photocatalysts are discussed based on three key characteristics, namely, light absorption, charge separation and transfer, and surface oxidation reactions. A satisfactory OER performance by polymeric photocatalysts will eventually offer a platform to achieve overall water splitting and other advanced applications in a cost-effective, sustainable, and renewable manner using solar energy.

Recent Advances in Porphyrin-Based Systems for Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…With the increasing population, the development of industry, the excessive consumption of fossil fuels, and the growing energy and environmental crises demand a sustainable energy supply. Water-splitting devices, metal–air batteries (i.e., Zn–air batteries), etc., are regarded as the new generation of energy conversion and storage techniques due to their advantages of low cost, environmental friendliness, and their use of a wide source of raw materials [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. In the course of research, oxygen evolution reaction (OER), as one of the critical half-reactions, plays a vital role.…”

Tunable Carrier Transfer of Polymeric Carbon Nitride with Charge-Conducting CoV2O6∙2H2O for Photocatalytic O2 Evolution

“…The challenge of solar-to-fuel conversion is the water oxidation half-reaction (WOR) with 4e − , a transfer that requires a large overpotential and leads to significant losses in the overall efficiency of water splitting [ 1 , 2 ]. The major limits of water oxidation catalysts are (1) the poor absorption of visible light, (2) the low mobility and high recombination of charge carriers, and (3) the low efficiency of the water oxidation reaction [ 3 , 4 ]. Although the inspiration for water splitting comes from nature through biomimetics, photocatalysts cannot be confined to biology.…”

Tremendous boost in the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4: regulation from polymerization kinetics to crystal structure engineering

“…As a type of organic semiconductor with an appropriate band gap, g-C 3 N 4 exhibits excellent photocatalytic performances. Simultaneously, as a typical polymer material, g-C 3 N 4 has a unique crystal structure and diffraction properties, and thus it has various photocatalytic applications, such as photocatalytic H 2 generation, 3,4 water splitting, 5,6 degradation of organic pollutants, 7,8 oxygen evolution reaction (OER), [9][10][11] CO 2 photoreduction 12,13 and NO oxidation. 14,15 Although g-C 3 N 4 possesses the potential advantages of a band gap, excellent crystal structure and outstanding light absorption, it still has many problems to be solved, such as its serious electron-hole recombination, narrow light absorption range, and low specific surface area utilization, which prevent the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 .…”