An experimental and theoretical study of an efficient polymer nano-photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

In this work, we report a highly efficient organic polymer nano-photocatalyst for light driven proton reduction. The system renders an initial rate of hydrogen evolution up to 50 ± 0.5 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is the fastest rate among all other reported organic photocatalysts. We also experimentally and theoretically prove that the nitrogen centre of the benzothiadiazole unit plays a crucial role in the photocatalysis and that the Pdots structure holds a close to ideal geometry to enhance the photocatalysis.