Novel furan-containing linear polymer with strong built-in electric field for H2O2 photosynthesis

Abstract

Using oxygen and water as raw materials, the photocatalytic production of H2O2 is a promising pathway. However, the limited charge separation efficiency represents a significant challenge in the photocatalysis field, as it impedes the generation of H2O2. Herein, a novel highly crystalline linear polymer has been synthesized here by bridging the strongly electronegative furan group with a diphenyl group, in order to adjust its molecular dipole moment to construct an intrinsic electric field to optimize photocatalytic performance. The optimal sample exhibited the best H2O2 synthesis rate of 2686 μmol·g−1·h−1 under pure water conditions, which is the best-performing linear conjugated polymer reported to date for H2O2 photosynthesis system. Importantly, the large internal dipole moment within furan-diphenyl linear polymer, together with the ordered crystalline structure induced robust built-in electric field, can facilitate migration and separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Manipulating molecular dipoles to enhance the built-in electric field can significantly improve photocatalytic activity, providing a new perspective for the rational design of functional linear conjugated polymers in green chemistry and sustainable production.