Covalent Triazine Framework Films through In-situ Growth for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Abstract

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution through water splitting offers a promising way to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are ideal photocatalyst owing to its exceptional in-plane π-conjugation, high chemical stability, and sturdy framework structure. However, CTF-based photocatalysts are typically in powder form, which presents challenges in catalyst recycling and scale-up applications. To overcome this limitation, we present a strategy for producing CTF films with excellent hydrogen evolution rate that are more suitable for large-scale water splitting due to their ease of separation and recyclability. We developed a simple and robust technique for producing CTF films on glass substrates via on-surface polycondensation, with thicknesses adjustable from 800 nm to 27 µm. These CTF films exhibit exceptional photocatalytic activity, with the HER performance of CTF-TPA-Film reaching as high as 77.8 mmol h-1 g-1 with co-catalyst Pt under visible light (≥420 nm). Additionally, they demonstrate good stability and recyclability, further highlighting their potential in green energy conversion and photocatalytic devices. Overall, our work presents a promising approach for producing CTF films suitable for a range of applications and paves the way for further developments in this field.