Work

Inhibiting the generation of oxidizing free radicals by enhancing intramolecular electron complementary effect in large-conjugated carbon nitride for stable NIR H2 production

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Photocatalytic processes in solution systems tend to induce secondary reactions. Particularly, the generation of oxidizing free radicals can impede the efficient progression of the target main reactions and compromise the stability of photocatalysts. Herein, a large-conjugated carbon nitride (OQCN) with a reinforced intramolecular electron interaction effect is fabricated to enable long-term stable photocatalytic reactions. The large-conjugated structure constructed by quinoline and heptazine significantly broadens the light response range of OQCN to the near-infrared region. Furthermore, the appropriate electron-withdrawing capacities of quinoline and heptazine not only facilitate the formation of a donor-acceptor (D-A) structure for ordered electron transfer, but also trigger an electron complementation process in OQCN upon photoexcitation. Through the rapid electron rearrangement between quinoline and heptazine moieties, excessive oxidation processes are suppressed, and the production of hydroxyl radicals is substantially inhibited. Consequently, OQCN exhibits considerable hydrogen evolution activity under near-infrared irradiation, with no apparent degradation in photocatalytic performance during prolonged reaction. Moreover, its oxygen-phobic property and superoxide radical-inhibiting effect endow OQCN with excellent resistance to long-term soaking treatment. This work uncovers an effective electron modulation mechanism for enhancing the stability of organic photocatalysts.

Source: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.153842

Authors: Jinqiao Li, Xuefeng Chu, Wenfu Yan, Gang Liu

Institutions: Jilin University, State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin Jianzhu University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, Jilin University, Jilin Scientific and Technological Development Program