Molecular‐Level π‐Stacking Engineering in Dative B←N Frameworks for Superior Photocatalytic H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Production
ABSTRACT The photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) from O 2 and H 2 O represents a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive anthraquinone process. However, achieving efficient photocatalysis requires precise control over structure–activity relationships, which remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a molecular engineering strategy that leverages precise tuning of intermolecular π‐stacking in three single‐crystalline dative B←N frameworks (BNF‐75, ‐76, and ‐77). By systematically modulating the planarity of the B‐acceptors, we achieved a progressive decrease in the root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of the B‐acceptors from 0.463 Å in BNF‐75 to 0.201 Å in BNF‐77. The BNF‐77 exhibits broadened visible‐light absorption, enhanced charge separation and transport, and an outstanding H 2 O 2 production rate of 5684.6 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 under visible light without sacrificial agents or metal cocatalysts (λ > 420 nm). Simple mechanical grinding for particle‐size reduction further elevates the rate to a remarkable 9451.0 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 , positioning BNF‐77 among the top‐performing crystalline photocatalysts based on dative B←N bonds. Integrated mechanistic studies reveal a synergistic mechanism: the dative B←N bond extends light harvesting and promotes charge separation, while the engineered tight π‐stacking constructs efficient charge‐transport highways and facilitates the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) pathway, with superoxide radicals (•O 2 − ) as the key intermediate.
Authors
- Chenxin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8751-0617)
- Liangji Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7942-6343)
- Yixuan Lin
- Haolong Chen
- Gaoyan Lan
- Yixin Lai
- Shengchang Xiang
- Zhangjing Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1264-7648)
- Kaibang Chen
- Ruyu Zhang
- Banglin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8707-8115)
- Furong Yuan
Institutions
- Fujian Normal University (CN)
- Ministry of Education (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie
- Published
- 2026-05-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.5657008
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China