Advanced Functional Porous Materials for Photocatalytic H2O2 Production

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the most essential chemicals that has a high oxidising ability (1.763 V at pH 0) and the highest active oxygen content (47.1 wt%). Current synthesis techniques are energy-intensive, generate harmful waste, and pose the potential danger of explosions. Photocatalytic H2O2 production via O2 reduction is a promising, sustainable, and eco-friendly method that harnesses solar energy to drive the reaction while also requiring low energy input and ensuring safety. Interestingly, advanced functional porous materials (AFPMs), like covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), porous organic polymers (POPs), covalent triazine framework (CTF), metal-organic polyhedra (MOP) and hydrogen bonded organic framework (HOF) have surfaced as promising photocatalysts for effective photocatalysis. These materials exhibit tunable pore size, high surface area, and robust framework, all of which facilitate mass transfer, adequate active sites, and efficient recycling. In this review, we have discussed the different strategies applied in recent literature to improve the photocatalytic efficiency in these materials towards photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis. This review provides an extensive summary and discussion of the latest applications of AFPM-based photocatalysts in H2O2 photosynthesis. The historical background and fundamental principles underlying photocatalysts for photocatalytic H2O production are briefly outlined. This is followed by a detailed classification and discussion of the strategies reported to enhance photocatalytic performance. The review addresses AFPM-based photocatalyst challenges and future prospects for light-driven H2O2 production.