Issue 16, 2024

Processing polymer photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Conjugated materials have emerged as competitive photocatalysts for the production of sustainable hydrogen from water over the last decade. Interest in these polymer photocatalysts stems from the relative ease to tune their electronic properties through molecular engineering, and their potentially low cost. However, most polymer photocatalysts have only been utilised in rudimentary suspension-based photocatalytic reactors, which are not scalable as these systems can suffer from significant optical losses and often require constant agitation to maintain the suspension. Here, we will explore research performed to utilise polymeric photocatalysts in more sophisticated systems, such as films or as nanoparticulate suspensions, which can enhance photocatalytic performance or act as a demonstration of how the polymer can be scaled for real-world applications. We will also discuss how the systems were prepared and consider both the benefits and drawbacks of each system before concluding with an outlook on the field of processable polymer photocatalysts.

Graphical abstract: Processing polymer photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

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Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
23 Apr 2024
Accepted
10 Jun 2024
First published
10 Jun 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Horiz., 2024,11, 3764-3791

Processing polymer photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

R. J. Lyons and R. S. Sprick, Mater. Horiz., 2024, 11, 3764 DOI: 10.1039/D4MH00482E

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