Enhanced Photocurrent and Photocatalytic Performance of a π-Conjugated Polymer Hybridized with Hexagonal ZnO Nanotubes

Abstract

A sulfur-doped π-conjugated polyimide (SPI) photocatalyst hybridized with hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanotubes was prepared via an in situ crystallization method. This hybridization with ZnO significantly enhanced the photocurrent of SPI by a factor of 10 when exposed to full arc light irradiation. The photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of the resulting 13 wt % ZnO/SPI was enhanced by 14 times in comparison to SPI under full arc light irradiation. The remarkable enhancement in photocurrent and photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of a Z-scheme heterojunction. This heterojunction arises from a strong interfacial interaction between ZnO and SPI, facilitated by the formation of Zn−N bonds. This Zscheme heterojunction plays a crucial role in improving the separation and transport efficiency of photogenerated electron−hole pairs. This work provides valuable insights into the creation of novel inorganic−organic photocatalyst systems for future applications.

Recent progress of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based materials for thermoelectric applications

“…[169][170][171] Additionally, ZnO has been demonstrated to be an excellent semiconductor, which is able to absorb UV or visible light. 172,173 Utilizing these advantageous features of ZnO, Zhang et al 174 developed a ternary heterostructure consisting of ZnO, P3HT, and PEDOT:PSS, which are capable of indirectly converting solar energy into electrical energy. As illustrated in Fig.…”