Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The photocatalytic generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from H2O and O2 under visible light irradiation is a hopeful approach to achieve solar-to-chemical energy transformation. While the lack of specific redox reaction centers is still the main reason for low photocatalytic H2O2 production efficiency, herein, we present a conjugated organic polymer (AQTEE-COP) containing anthraquinone redox centers by Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction between 2,6-dibromoanthraquinone (AQ) and 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)ethene. The extended π-conjugated framework with an electron push–pull effect between electron-donating tetraphenylethene moieties and electron-withdrawing anthraquinone moieties not only broadened the visible light absorption range but also promoted the separation and migration of photo-induced charge carriers. Meanwhile, the anthraquinone moieties can serve as redox centers to accept photo-induced electrons and transfer them to adsorbed O2 molecules for subsequent H2O2 production. The well-defined structure of AQTEE-COP with task-specific anthracene redox centers provides molecular-level insights into the mechanistic understanding of the photocatalytic H2O2 generation from H2O and O2. The AQTEE-COP exhibits efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production with an initial rate of 3204 μmol g–1 h–1 under visible light (λ ≥ 400 nm) irradiation without any additional photosensitizers, organic scavengers, or co-catalysts. This article provides a protocol for the rational design of pre-functionalized conjugated organic polymer-based materials for solar-to-chemical energy transformation.
Xu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.