journal article·2026-04

Co‐Engineering Band Structure and Interfacial Electron Pathways by Etching‐Assisted Transformation of Prussian Blue Analogues into Sulfide Photocatalysts with Graphdiyne Cocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide

Yueyang Zhang, Minghua Xu, Dongxu Jiao, Huijun Zhang, Yeqiong Huang, Chunsheng Ding, Depeng Meng, Xiaowen Ruan, Sai Kishore Ravi

Small· Volume 22· Issue 21
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Artificial photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide in neutral water is limited by weak solar absorption and the lack of interfaces that selectively channel electrons into the two‐electron oxygen‐reduction pathway. We address these constraints by co‐engineering band structure and electron pathways through etching‐assisted transformation of Prussian blue analogues into defect‐rich metal‐sulfide photocatalysts and integration of graphdiyne carbon cocatalysts. The sulfur‐etching conversion yields defect‐rich Zn‐CdS with red‐shifted absorption and favorable band energetics, while graphdiyne provides π‐conjugated pathways and sites that stabilize *OOH, directing two‐electron reduction of O 2 to H 2 O 2 . Energetic alignment from work‐function/valence‐band measurements and density‐functional theory indicates downhill electron transfer from the sulfide to graphdiyne, corroborated by photoluminescence quenching, shorter lifetimes, lower charge‐transfer resistance, and higher photocurrent. In situ diffuse‐reflectance infrared spectroscopy detects *OOH/ H 2 O 2 , spin‐trapping electron‐paramagnetic resonance confirms oxygenated intermediates, and rotating ring‐disk voltammetry indicates a near‐two‐electron pathway. Under UV–vis irradiation, the composite exhibits a H 2 O 2 formation rate of 128.7 µmol g − 1 min − 1 without sacrificial agents, maintains activity over cycling, and permits kinetic deconvolution of formation versus self‐decomposition. Extending the method to Ni/Mn/Co precursors reproduces the structure‐function trend. By coupling light‐harvesting control with interfacial catalytic specificity, this organic–inorganic heterojunction offers a route to efficient, sacrificial‐agent‐free photosynthesis of H 2 O 2 .
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Energy and Environment City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR China

School of Materials Science and Engineering Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials of MOE Electron Microscopy Center Jilin University Changchun P. R. China

College of Chemistry Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization Northeast Forestry University Harbin P. R. China

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Ningxia Key Laboratory of Solar Chemical Conversion Technology Key Laboratory for Chemical Engineering and Technology State Ethnic Affairs Commission North Minzu University Yinchuan P. R. China

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · City University of Hong Kong

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