Abstract
AbstractCarrier transport is an equally decisive factor as carrier separation for elevating photocatalytic efficiency. However, limited by indefinite structures and low crystallinities, studies on enhancing carrier transport of organic photocatalysts are still in their infancy. Here, we develop an σ‐linkage length modulation strategy to enhance carrier transport in imidazole‐alkyl‐perylene diimide (IMZ‐alkyl‐PDI, corresponding to D‐σ‐A) photocatalysts by controlling π–π stacking distance. Ethyl‐linkage can shorten π–π stacking distance (3.19 Å) the most among IMZ‐alkyl‐PDIs (where alkyl=none, ethyl, and n‐propyl) via minimizing steric hindrance between D and A moieties, which leads to the fastest carrier transport rates. Thereby, IMZ‐ethyl‐PDI exhibits remarkable enhancement in phenol degradation with 32‐fold higher rates than IMZ‐PDI, as well as the oxygen evolution rate (271‐fold increased). In microchannel reactors, IMZ‐ethyl‐PDI also presents 81.5 % phenol removal with high‐flux surface hydraulic loading (44.73 L m−2 h−1). Our findings provide a promising molecular design guideline for high‐performance photocatalysts and elucidate crucial internal carrier transport mechanisms.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
