Directional Concerted Proton‐Electron Transfer in COFs for Efficient Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 Production

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Authors: Shi Wang, Xinzhu Jiang, Hanpei Yang, Xudong Kang, Feng He, Linting Zhao, Qiongyao Wang, Bingqing Xu, Gen Zhang
Cited by: 3
References: 34

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photocatalytic two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e − ORR) offers a sustainable route for green H 2 O 2 synthesis. However, its efficiency is fundamentally constrained by the kinetic mismatch between proton transfer and electron migration across heterogeneous interfaces. Inspired by concerted proton–electron translocation in natural hydrogenases, we report a catechol–triazine donor–acceptor (D–A) covalent organic framework, 2,3‐Dhta‐Tt, for directional concerted proton–electron transfer (DCPET) during photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. The intrinsic built‐in electric field, combined with a catechol‐derived dynamic proton‐relay network, aligns proton and electron fluxes and establishes a periodic co‐transport channel toward triazine acceptor sites. At the molecular level, the catechol donor units dominate the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), acting simultaneously as photoexcitation centers and initial proton‐release sites, thereby synchronizing proton delivery with electron migration. This vectorial coupling lowers the activation barrier for O─O hydrogenation and promotes highly selective 2e − ORR, affording an H 2 O 2 production rate of 27.22 mmol g −1 h −1 in pure water. The framework also exhibits proton conductivity of 6.09 × 10 −5 S cm −1 and an extended excited‐state lifetime of 94.45 ps. Isotope labeling, operando spectroscopy, and DFT calculations support a proton‐cycling process and directional proton/electron participation. This work advances heterogeneous photocatalyst design beyond conventional PCET cooperativity.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts Covalent Organic Framework Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
38
Issue
40
Pages
e73727–e73727
Publication date
12 June 2026
Language
EN