Metal-Free Covalent Organic Framework for Facile Production of Solar Fuel via CO₂ Reduction

Abstract

We describe the facile hydrothermal synthesis of a sponge-like 2D layered triazine based covalent organic framework (COF) structure. The substance comprises of 18.49 nm nanoparticles and well-organized mesopores across its 2D layers. This highly ordered π-conjugated metal-free COF structure possesses 1.86 eV band gap energy and performs as a potential photocatalyst to form formic acid as well as methanol via CO2 (1 atm) reduction under visible light irradiation. The effect of different parameters like solvent type, sacrificial electron donor, time, light intensity, etc. was studied for the production of formic acid as well as methanol. Sunlight irradiation also showed a promising production rate for formic acid and methanol. The synthesized COF material is available to reuse for manifold reaction cycles with its catalytic efficiency without affecting its structural and morphological features.