Rational design of N-heterocyclic COF-based photocatalysts: synergistic metal–ligand coordination for efficient H2O2 production

Abstract

This study successfully constructed a Cd-COF with an N–Cd coordination structure via a one-step solvothermal method and demonstrated its application in photocatalytic H₂O₂ production. The N–Cd coordination structure not only exhibits exceptional adsorption capacity for oxygen molecules, but also acts as an active center to provide electrons for the reduction reaction, thereby significantly accelerating the efficient generation of H₂O₂. Experimental results reveal that the N–Cd coordination structure optimizes the electronic structure and regulates the local microenvironment, leading to high-efficiency utilization of photogenerated electrons.