Engineering a covalently linked NH2–TiN@PCN-222-Co single atom-based photocatalyst for solar-driven CO2-to-CO conversion

Abstract

In this study, we report the synthesis of NH2-functionalized titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into single cobalt atom-integrated PCN-222 (denoted as TiN@PCN(Co)-x, where x represents the wt% of TiN) via a solvothermal approach. The amino-functionalized TiN NPs establish strong chemical bonding with PCN-222-Co, facilitating charge transport from the photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)3]2+ to PCN-222-Co and thereby significantly enhancing photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Notably, the photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)3]2+ plays a crucial role as a primary electron donor, ensuring sustained charge separation and an extended electron lifetime within the TiN@PCN(Co) system. Under optimized reaction conditions, TiN@PCN(Co) with 5 wt% TiN achieves a remarkable CO production rate of 627.42 μmol g−1 h−1 after 4 h of solar light irradiation, demonstrating the synergistic effects of TiN functionalization and photosensitizer-mediated charge transfer in enhancing photocatalytic performance. These studies provide valuable insights into the design of MOF-based hybrid single atom-based photocatalysts for efficient CO2 reduction and sustainable solar fuel production.

Graphical abstract: Engineering a covalently linked NH2–TiN@PCN-222-Co single atom-based photocatalyst for solar-driven CO2-to-CO conversion

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Apr 2025
Accepted
21 Jun 2025
First published
23 Jun 2025

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2025, Advance Article

Engineering a covalently linked NH2–TiN@PCN-222-Co single atom-based photocatalyst for solar-driven CO2-to-CO conversion

M. Duong, T. Quach, V. Nguyen, S. Mohan and T. Do, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5TC01575H

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