Work

In situ fabrication of Cu II-tetrapyridylporphyrin derived single-atom CuN x cluster-modified TiO 2 for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which can convert solar energy into hydrogen energy, offers a viable green energy solution to the current energy shortages. Herein, CuII-tetrapyridylporphyrin (CuTPyP) molecules are decorated onto an amino-functionalized Ti-based metal organic framework (NH2-MIL-125(Ti) MOF) to form CuTPyP/NH2-MIL-125(Ti) precursor via an impregnation method, which is then pyrolyzed to fabricate a novel single-atom CuNx cluster-modified TiO2 composite (CuNx/TiO2). Under the full spectrum irradiation of Xe-lamp, the resultant CuNx/TiO2 exhibits slightly better photocatalytic performance than the Pt-loaded TiO2 product, with an optimal HER activity of 581 μmol h-1, which is 38 and 20 times higher than that of the TiO2 (15 μmol h-1) pyrolyzed from of the bare NH2-MIL-125(Ti) and the Nx/TiO2 (28 μmol h-1) pyrolyzed from the H2TPyP/NH2-MIL-125(Ti) precursor, respectively. The characterization results confirm that the Cu species in CuNx/TiO2 can maintain the single-atom dispersed CuNx clusters, thereby extending the spectral absorption region, promoting the photoexcited charge separation, and then enhancing the activity of TiO2. These results demonstrate that the CuNx clusters exhibit comparable effectiveness to Pt cocatalyst, providing a feasible approach for developing efficient non-precious metal single-atom photocatalysts.

Source: Nano Research

DOI: 10.26599/nr.2025.94907499

Authors: Yanan Wang, Huaiyang Jia, Dengyang Lu, Jinge Wang, Tianyou Peng

Institution: Wuhan University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,290