Enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation by tuning hydrazone linkage density in covalent organic frameworks

The conversion of solar energy into chemical energy or high-value chemicals has attracted considerable research interest in the context of the global energy crisis. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a versatile and powerful oxidizing agent widely used in chemical synthesis and medical disinfection. H₂O₂ also serves as a clean energy source in fuel cells, generating electricity with zero-carbon emissions. Recently, the sustainable production of H₂O₂ from water and oxygen using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as photocatalysts has attracted considerable attention; however, systematic studies highlighting the role of linkages in determining photocatalytic performance are scarce. Under these circumstances, herein, we demonstrate that varying the imine and hydrazone linkages within the framework significantly influences photocatalytic H₂O₂ production. COFs with high-density hydrazone linkages, providing optimal docking sites for water and oxygen, enhance H₂O₂ generation activity (1588 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ from pure water in the air), leading to highly efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion.