Common Carbons as Water‐Reducing Catalysts in Photo‐Driven Hydrogen Evolution with Nitrogen‐Dependent Activity

Abstract Production of sustainable fuels, such as hydrogen, is currently limited by expensive metal catalysts, and while precious‐metal‐free alternatives have been developed, price to performance is still not sufficient for practical usage. Herein, multiple activated carbons (ACs) were investigated as water‐reducing catalysts (WRCs) in photo‐driven hydrogen evolution with an Ir light harvester. Features necessary for AC catalytic activity were probed using model catalysts of various polyacrylonitrile (PAN) derived carbons, with different N content, graphitic domain size, and pore structure. N content and microporosity were found to be determining features of activity in PAN‐based carbons. The ACs initially tested as WRCs were further characterized, revealing a dependence on N content and surface area consistent with PAN‐based carbons. These results are encouraging for the use of ACs as WRCs and point to possible improvements to catalytic activity by increasing N content and microporosity.