Engineering structural defects into a covalent organic framework for enhanced photocatalytic activity?

Journal of Materials Chemistry A Pub Date: 2021-11-02 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA07634E

Abstract

Defect engineering is a promising methodology for modulating the electronic and band structure of semiconductive materials. A series of covalent organic frameworks, designated TAPT-COF-X (X = mole equivalents of modulator 3,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde relative to three equivalents of linker) for water-splitting have been prepared bearing a controlled proportion of structural defects. These defects significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 production. Hydrogen evolution rates of 33?910 μmol g?1 h?1 were achieved, with the maximum H2 evolution rate for TAPT-COF-7 2.3 times that of parent TAPT-COF. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that TAPT-COF-7 also possessed the highest charge separation efficiency.

Graphical abstract: Engineering structural defects into a covalent organic framework for enhanced photocatalytic activity
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