Physics

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Carbon nitride

Hydrogen

Photocatalysis

Composite number

Catalysis

Carbon fibers

Composite material

Hydrogen production

Quantum yield

Inorganic chemistry

Chemistry

Materials science

Nitride

Graphitic carbon nitride

Layer (electronics)

Antimony

Quantum mechanics

Hydrogen peroxide

Oxygen

Photochemistry

Artificial photosynthesis

Fluorescence

Nature Catalysis

Artificial photosynthesis offers a promising strategy to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)—an environmentally friendly oxidant and a clean fuel. However, the low activity and selectivity of the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the photocatalytic process greatly restricts the H2O2 production efficiency. Here we show a robust antimony single-atom photocatalyst (Sb-SAPC, single Sb atoms dispersed on carbon nitride) for the synthesis of H2O2 in a simple water and oxygen mixture under visible light irradiation. An apparent quantum yield of 17.6% at 420 nm together with a solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency of 0.61% for H2O2 synthesis was achieved. On the basis of time-dependent density function theory calculations, isotopic experiments and advanced spectroscopic characterizations, the photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the notably promoted two-electron ORR by forming μ-peroxide at the Sb sites and highly concentrated holes at the neighbouring N atoms. The in situ generated O2 via water oxidation is rapidly consumed by ORR, leading to boosted overall reaction kinetics.                                                                  Hydrogen peroxide is an interesting target for artificial photosynthesis, although its actual production via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction remains limited. Now, a carbon nitride-supported antimony single atom photocatalyst has been developed with a superior performance for this process.

Atomically dispersed antimony on carbon nitride for the artificial photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide