RETRACTED: Modular monomers with adjustable solubility: Synthesis of block copolymers for improved photocatalysis by RAFT for the synthesis of atomic nickel co-catalysts

Abstract

• The loading of Ni on TiO 2 in the prepared composite is in atomic form, and the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen precipitation is better than that of the conventional loading method.Adsorption equilibrium process consistent with Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics • Modular monomer method allows efficient identification of monomers suitable for RAFT water dispersion polymerization • The "nano-bridge" PMPS-MPS-P ([META + ][PF 6 − ]) plays an important role in the formation of stable Ni-O and Ti-C bonds, and can also influence the formation of Ov through ionic response • Can be modified by defect engineering to manipulate photocatalysts, providing a new idea for similar research directions Using the high incompatibility between the neutral stabilizer body and the block polyelectrolyte to drive phase separation during polymerization-induced self-assembly, a modular approach to systematically adjust ionic monomer/polymer solubility was developed to effectively identify monomers suitable for RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization, with strong phase separation ability to form worm phases over a wide range of compositions and even at very low solids content. The block copolymer PMPS-MPS-P([META + ][PF 6 − ]), prepared by this method, acts as a "nano bridge" and achieves Ni loading on TiO 2 with the help of sol-gel method + thermal reduction. The atomic loading of Ni on TiO 2 is achieved through strong covalent bonding, metallic bonding and the natural physical intertwining effect of silane coupling agent. Interestingly, it was unexpectedly found that the TiC stable structure generated by this process, the ionization of part of the block polyelectrolyte after the thermal reduction treatment at 773 K and the loading process of Ni all can promote the formation of oxygen vacancy Ov, which facilitates the charge transfer and hydrogen precipitation reaction. It has superior photocatalytic ability and cheaper cost compared to the conventional impregnation dispersion method. These findings provide a new idea to modify the manipulated photocatalysts by defect engineering to achieve efficient photocatalytic efficiency and capability.