Atomic‐Level Dipole Engineering in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhancement of Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis
Overcoming the fundamental challenge of rapid exciton recombination is paramount for advancing photocatalysis. Here, we introduce a paradigm-shifting strategy based on atomic-scale dipole engineering within covalent organic frameworks (COFs) to master charge separation. We have designed and synthesized a series of isostructural COFs incorporating different chalcogen heteroatoms (O, S, Se), systematically elucidating how electronegativity-driven dipole polarization governs photocatalytic oxygen reduction. Under the demanding conditions of sacrificial-agent-free H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> synthesis, the oxygen-endowed COF (HFPB-BO) demonstrated unparalleled performance. Attributed to its immense calculated dipole moment of 6.53 D, broad visible-light harvesting, and the longest fluorescence lifetime in the series, HFPB-BO achieved a remarkable H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> generation rate of 2963 µmol h<sup>-1</sup> g<sup>-1</sup>. This rate surpasses its sulfur (HFPB-BS) and selenium (HFPB-BSe) analogues by factors of 1.2 and 3.1, respectively. This work establishes, for the first time, a direct and quantifiable correlation between heteroatom-tuned dipole polarization and photocatalytic activity, presenting a rational and powerful design principle for the next generation of advanced COF photocatalysts.
Authors
- Yuan‐Sheng Xia
- Tao Jiang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4487-299X)
- Chenchen Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8586-6206)
- Fei Yu
Institutions
- Nanjing Normal University (CN)
- South China Normal University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small
- Published
- 2025-12-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202511583
- Primary Topic
- Covalent Organic Framework Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00