Er3+-doped in-TCPP accelerates carrier migration to achieve high-efficiency photocatalytic H2 evolution

Preparation of upconversion efficient In-TCPP via an “ internally-empowered “ Strategy. • Synergistic enhancement of light absorption and charge carrier migration via the upconversion effect and IEF. • The ITE has highly efficient photocatalytic production capacity of H 2 . The practical application of photocatalytic hydrogen production is primarily constrained by high charge carrier recombination rates and low light utilization efficiency. Herein, upconversion elements Er 3+ was introduced into the In-TCPP framework to prepare In-TCPP-Er-X% (ITE-X%). The ITE-3% demonstrated the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 183 μmol·g −1 ·h −1 , representing 1.99 times enhancement over In-TCPP. The introduction of Er 3+ not only endows In-TCPP with an upconversion effect but also optimizes its internal charge distribution, generating a strong built-in electric field (IEF) which confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), upconversion fluorescence (UCPL) and DFT. Under the synergistic effect of the upconversion and IEF, ITE-3% can more effectively utilize low-energy near-infrared (NIR) light and promote charge carrier separation, thereby achieving efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. This work demonstrates the synergistic effect of upconversion and IEF in enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, thereby paving the way for broader NIR light application. Upconversion elements (Er 3+ ) was doped with In-TCPP. Under the synergistic effect of upconversion and built-in electric field, In-TCPP doped with Er 3+ (ITE-3%) exhibited enhanced light absorption and carrier migration capabilities, demonstrating optimal photocatalytic performance. Download: Download high-res image (140KB) Download: Download full-size image