Asymmetrical Interactions between Ni Single Atomic Sites and Ni Clusters in a 3D Porous Organic Framework for Enhanced CO2 Photoreduction

Abstract 3D porous organic frameworks, which possess the advantages of high surface area and abundant exposed active sites, are considered ideal platforms to accommodate single atoms (SAs) and metal nanoclusters (NCs) in high‐performance catalysts; however, very little research has been conducted in this field. In the present work, a 3D porous organic framework containing Ni 1 SAs and Ni n NCs is prepared through the metal‐assisted one‐pot polycondensation of tetraaldehyde and hexaaminotriptycene. The single metal sites and metal clusters confined in the 3D space created a favorable micro‐environment that facilitated the activation of chemically inert CO 2 molecules, thus promoting the overall photoconversion efficiency and selectivity of CO 2 reduction. The 3D‐NiSAs/NiNCs‐POPs, as a CO 2 photoreduction catalyst, demonstrated an exceptional CO production rate of 6.24 mmol g −1 h −1 , high selectivity of 98%, and excellent stability. The theoretical calculations uncovered that asymmetrical interaction between Ni 1 SAs and Ni n NCs not only favored the bending of CO 2 molecules and reducing the CO 2 reduction energy, but also regulated the electronic structure of the catalyst leading to the optimal binding strength of intermediates.