Polythiophene-Doped Resorcinol–Formaldehyde Resin Photocatalysts for Solar-to-Hydrogen Peroxide Energy Conversion

Abstract

The generation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) from water and dioxygen by sunlight-driven heterogeneous photocatalysis is a promising method for the artificial photosynthesis of a liquid solar fuel. We previously found that resorcinol−formaldehyde (RF) resin powders prepared by high-temperature hydrothermal synthesis act as highly active semiconductor photocatalysts for H 2 O 2 generation. Herein, we report that RF resin powders doped with poly(3hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (RF/P3HT) exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activities. The highly dispersed P3HT within the resin particles created charge transfer complexes with the conduction band of the resin via electron donation, facilitating efficient transfer of the photogenerated conduction band electrons through P3HT. This enhanced charge separation promoted efficient water oxidation and O 2 reduction. The solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency for H 2 O 2 generation on the RF/P3HT resin in water under simulated sunlight irradiation with atmospheric pressure of O 2 was ∼1.0%, which is the highest efficiency reported for powder catalysts in artificial photosynthesis.

Linear Conjugated Polymers for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production: The Importance of Catalyst Stability

“… 11 − 13 Recently, promising H 2 O 2 production efficiencies were reported for some organic photocatalysts. 5 , 11 − 13 However, to date, few organic photocatalysts have shown good performance for photocatalytic H 2 O 2 synthesis without sacrificial agents, and efficiencies are far from satisfying industrial requirements.…”

“… 36 , 37 Another strategy would be to develop materials that are intrinsically less susceptible to • O 2 – attack or to adjust the band energy positions to produce H 2 O 2 via a one-step, two-electron reduction pathway, avoiding the production of • O 2– intermediates. 10 , 13 …”

Triphasic Metal Oxide Photocatalyst for Reaction Site‐Specific Production of Hydrogen Peroxide from Oxygen Reduction and Water Oxidation

“…Figure 4f supports that the activity of CFT is far superior to those of other single‐ or dual‐phase photocatalysts by about tenfolds. [ 32–56 ] Also, we find that high activity in H 2 O 2 conversion (Figure S27, Supporting Information) is well maintained even at the ≈10‐fold higher mass loading of CFT photocatalysts.…”

“…e) H 2 O 2 production recyclability test for CFT. f) H 2 O 2 production rates for recent reported photocatalysts [ 32–56 ] and CFT.…”

A Brief Review on Fundamentals of Conductive Polymer (CPs)

“…Poly (thiophene) (PTh) that makes the naturally and thermallystable materials utilized as electrical super capacitor, non-straight optics, PLEDs, eletrochromics, photo resists, solar cell, antistatic coatings etc. [11][12][13][14][15] .…”