Coupling of MAPbI3 microcrystals with conductive polyaniline for efficient visible-light-driven H2 evolution

Abstract

Although the methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃) hybrid perovskite has shown great potential in photocatalytic H₂ evolution, its performance is significantly suppressed due to the insufficient charge separation. Herein, a strongly coupled 3D/1D composite photocatalyst of MAPbI₃ microcrystals with conductive polyaniline nanowires (PANI NWs) is developed for efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution in MAPbI₃-saturated HI aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The most active MAPbI₃ (100 mg)–PANI NW (7 mg) composite exhibits a H₂ evolution rate of 38.8 μmol h⁻¹, which is 29 times higher than that of pristine MAPbI₃. Spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical measurements reveal that the coupled PANI NWs can greatly improve the charge separation, thereby considerably enhancing the photocatalytic H₂ evolution of the composite photocatalyst.