Hot π‐Electron Tunneling of Metal–Insulator–COF Nanostructures for Efficient Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Abstract A metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) photosystem based on covalent organic framework (COF) semiconductors was designed for robust and efficient hydrogen evolution under visible‐light irradiation. A maximal H 2 evolution rate of 8.42 mmol h −1 g −1 and a turnover frequency of 789.5 h −1 were achieved by using a MIS photosystem prepared by electrostatic self‐assembly of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) insulator‐capped Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with the hydrophilic imine‐linked TP‐COFs having =C=O−H−N= hydrogen‐bonding groups. The hot π‐electrons in the photoexcited n‐type TP‐COF semiconductors can be efficiently extracted and tunneled to Pt NPs across an ultrathin PVP insulating layer to reduce protons to H 2 . Compared to the Schottky‐type counterparts, the COF‐based MIS photosystems give a 32‐fold‐enhanced carrier efficiency, attributed to the combined enhancement of photoexcitation rate, charge separation, and oxidation rate of holes accumulated in the valence band of the TP‐COF semiconductor.