Efficient aromatic alcohol oxidation with simultaneous H 2 evolution under aqueous conditions is achieved in a polyoxometalate (POM)-incorporated ZnIn 2 S 4 dual-functional photocatalytic system. The synergy between HPM and ZIS contributes to the formation of a Z-type heterojunction structure and thus enhances redox capacity. Moreover, the sub-nanometer size of POM clusters endows molecular-level interfacial contact, which acts as an "electron bridge" ensuring faster interfacial charge transfer kinetics. Therefore, an impressive nearly 100% yield of benzaldehyde and 10.6 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 H 2 -evolution rate are observed for POM/ZIS nanocomposites even under an anaerobic atmosphere with water as the solvent. This is the first application of POM-based materials in the anaerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol with concomitant H 2 production. This study expands the possibilities for designing multifunctional POM-based photocatalysts for economic and ecological photoredox applications.
Lan Yuan,Yue-Hua Li,Zi-Rong Tang,Jinlong Gong,Yi-Jun Xu
Pairing CO 2 reduction with oxidative organic synthesis in one photoredox cycle opens a new avenue for cooperative utilization of excited electrons and holes towards efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion. In this work, we demonstrate a facile cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant functionalized ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS)-based dual-functional reaction system for efficient visible light-driven CO 2 -to-CO conversion pairing with selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to value-added C C coupled products. Our research suggests that the markedly enhanced redox activities are mainly attributed to the unique structure of CTAB-ZIS featuring more crystalline and surface defects, which greatly promotes the interfacial charge carrier transfer, and in particular elevates CO 2 activation and electrons reducibility. It is anticipated that this work would inspire further establishment of efficient novel photocatalysts and cooperative reaction system coupling CO 2 reduction and organic synthesis in a cost-effective manner under ambient conditions to meet the economic and social sustainability goals.