Supramolecular Organic Photocatalyst Containing a Cubanelike Water Cluster and Donor-Acceptor Stacks: Hydrogen Evolution and Dye Degradation under Visible Light

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2018 Sep 5;10(35):29417-29424. doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b07437. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Abstract

Supramolecular organic photocatalysts are scarcely explored for the generation of sustainable energy as well as for environmental remediation purposes. An organic photocatalyst, containing a cubanelike water cluster and donor-acceptor stacks, was efficiently developed through a supramolecular approach. The material exhibited remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen generation, in the absence of any cocatalyst, with excellent stability and recyclability. The photoactivity was further assessed through time-resolved photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The material also exhibited highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity through the degradation of harmful organic dye methylene blue.

Keywords: donor−acceptor stacks; dye degradation; hydrogen evolution; supramolecular organic photocatalysts; water cluster.