Role of Trap\nOptimization in a Heterostructure Carbon\nNitride as a Methodology to Enhance Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Carbon-based catalysts hold significant\npromise for photocatalytic\nhydrogen evolution. A critical challenge lies in optimizing the balance\nbetween electron longevity and its accumulation to avoid bottlenecks\nin photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, we introduce an innovative\nand efficient strategy for the rapid extraction (<100 fs) of photoinduced\nfree electrons from a carbon-based catalyst without forming additional\nmetal-based heterojunction hybrids. This method effectively prevents\nexcessive accumulation of free carriers within the catalyst. The rapidly\nextracted electrons are then utilized for photocatalytic hydrogen\nproduction, resulting in a 10-fold increase in activity compared to\nthe pristine catalyst, with platinum (3 wt%) used as a cocatalyst.\nOur strategy significantly enhances the performance of a state-of-the-art\ncatalyst, offering a clean and cost-effective method for producing\nclean energy. This work demonstrates how a fundamental understanding\nof molecular-level phenomena and their optimization can pave the way\nfor delivering clean and affordable energy to society.