Development of Novel Advanced Functional Porous Photocatalysts for Green Hydrogen Production

Abstract

In the current world of rising carbon emissions and high energy demand for human needs, it is critical to shift towards renewable and green energy sources to conserve the natural integrity of our ecosystem. Green hydrogen generated through photosynthesis is one of the best fuels for a green, carbon-free energy culture. However, the existing catalysts are either highly expensive or highly inefficient and are therefore not commercially feasible replacements for traditional fossil fuels. In this work, we have addressed a couple of problems in the existing research on photocatalysts for hydrogen production. Firstly, we have developed a series of novel thiazolyl-based Porous Organic Polymers (POPs) with excellent photocatalytic efficiency and stability. One of our POPs, HPOP-2, has outperformed the other two POPs with its high photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity of 15.628 mmol g-1, and it was found that its high exciton generation and charge transfer efficiencies are pivotal for this activity. In another study, we have developed a novel strategy to load gold nanoparticle co-catalysts in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We have worked with Cerium and Zirconium-based MOFs in solvothermal, microwave, room temperature and high temperature conditions to evaluate the robustness of our technique. With the morphological and structural characterisations, we have succeeded in confirming the working of this robust technique in different synthesis conditions without compromising structural, thermal and crystalline characteristics.