2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2^‴‐Quaterthiophene Nanoparticles and Single‐Walled CNT Composite: An Organic Nanohybrid for Solar H₂ Production and Simultaneous Photoreformation of Plastic Wastes

Abstract Herein, an all organic nanocomposite has been developed by combining self‐assembled conjugated oligomer 2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2 ‴ ‐Quaterthiophene and carboxylic acid functionalized single‐walled CNTs. Efficient charge transport properties of single‐walled CNTs facilitate the overall charge separation process between the two counterparts of the composites which further boost up the photocatalytic solar H 2 production. The optimized rate of H 2 production efficiency reaches up to ∼20 mmol g −1 h −1 by using 4‐methoxy benzyl alcohol as specific hole scavenger. The production efficiency for the final composite has been reported to be a few folds higher than the bare self‐assembled 2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2 ‴ ‐Quaterthiophene nanoparticles and carboxylic acid functionalized single‐walled CNTs. Later the final composite has been utilized for the photoreformation of the plastic wastes to value added chemicals along with simultaneous solar H 2 production by controlling the complete redox cycle for photocatalysis. The photo reformed products are further identified by NMR spectroscopy. The overall photocatalysis process has been further validated by in‐depth transient photocurrent study and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Overall, the present work will open up new possibility regarding the developments of metal free sustainable nanomaterials to combat the two major challenges simultaneously, i.e.‐ i) plastic waste valorization and ii) green H 2 production with the cost of only sunlight.