Experimental study demonstrates dual-site photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production in pure water, indicating a viable path for sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
Solar‐driven hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) synthesis offers a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive anthraquinone process, yet its efficiency is fundamentally constrained by the inability to simultaneously harness photogenerated electrons and holes in a balanced, synergistic manner. Here we report a spatially separated yet electronically coupled dual‐active‐site photocatalyst, comprising atomic chromium (Cr) and oxygen vacancies (O Vs ) anchored on ultrathin TiO 2 nanosheets (Cr‐TiO 2‐x ), that enables the cooperative coupling of two‐electron water oxidation (2e − WOR) and oxygen reduction (2e − ORR) in a single photocatalytic framework. In situ x‐ray absorption/emission spectroscopy and excited‐state density functional theory calculations reveal that Cr single atoms selectively accumulate photogenerated holes to drive 2e − WOR, while O V sites trap electrons to activate O 2 for 2e − ORR. This self‐sustaining proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) loop not only suppresses charge recombination but also achieves a record H 2 O 2 production rate of 764.9 µmol g −1 h −1 in pure water without sacrificial agents, with a solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency of 1.23% and an apparent quantum yield of 11.5% at 420 nm. This work establishes a blueprint for the atomic‐level design of dual‐redox photocatalysts and provides direct spectroscopic evidence of excited‐state charge partitioning, opening new avenues for efficient solar‐fuel synthesis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Jing et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: