Deciphering the Role of Bi Single Atoms in Bi‐In <sub>2</sub> S <sub>3</sub> for Robust Solar H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Photosynthesis: From Adsorption Geometry to Band Structure
Achieving efficient solar-to-chemical conversion for H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> synthesis is often hampered by fast charge recombination and the competitive side reactions. While single-atom catalysts (SACs) are effective for regulating reaction pathways, the intricate interplay between p-block metal atoms and the electronic structure of semiconductor hosts remains elusive. Herein, we report the construction of atomically dispersed Bi<sup>3+</sup> sites on an In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> semiconductor host to achieve efficient solar H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> synthesis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations first elucidate the underlying electronic mechanism, identifying a pronounced Bi 6p-S 3p orbital hybridization that narrows the bandgap and enhances band dispersion. Guided by these theoretical insights, experimental characterizations confirm that the resulting Bi-S coordination motifs facilitate efficient interfacial charge separation and induce Pauling-type O<sub>2</sub> adsorption. This adsorption mode significantly lowers the activation barrier for *OOH formation, directing the reaction along the selective 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR pathway. As a result, the Bi-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> photocatalyst achieves an H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production rate of 368.8 µM h<sup>-1</sup> in pure water, far surpassing pristine In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> and most reported inorganic photocatalysts. This work highlights the dual functionality of p-block single atoms as both catalytic centers and electronic modulators, providing a robust strategy for unifying light harvesting and reaction-pathway control in photocatalysis.
Authors
- Dongdong Chu
- Ling Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8034-5030)
- Qi Cheng
- Chao Xing
- Dayu Sun
Institutions
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2026-03-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.5343535
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00