Photocatalytic H 2 O 2 Generation Reaction with A Benchmark Rate at Air-Liquid-Solid Joint Interfaces.

The rapid charge recombination, low selectivity for two-electron oxygen reduction reaction and limited O 2 diffusion rate hinder the practical applications of photocatalytic H 2 O 2 generation. Herein, we develop a triphase photocatalytic system in which the H 2 O 2 generation occurs at the air-liquid-solid joint interfaces, using polymeric carbon nitride (PCN). The introduction of pyrrole units and cyano group into PCN could promote the activation of oxygen molecules and facilitate the spatial separation of HOMO and LUMO orbits, hence improving the charge carrier separation efficiency and enhance the formation of H 2 O 2 . Importantly, the gas-liquid-solid triphase interface system allows for the rapid transport of oxygen from the air to the reaction interface, overcoming the low solubility and slow diffusion of oxygen in the water in conventional liquid reaction systems. The triphase system shows a benchmark H 2 O 2 generation rate over PCN based materials in pure water (2063.21 μmol g -1 h -1 ), which is an approximate 10-fold enhancement as compared to powder photocatalyst (215.44 μmol g -1 h -1 ). Simulation and electrochemical tests reveal that the rapid oxygen diffusion rate of triphase interface could promote charge separation and provide more O 2 to generate H 2 O 2 . This work provides a promising strategy for constructing an efficient and sustainable H 2 O 2 production system. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.