Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution by extending exciton lifetime via asymmetric organic semiconductor

• Published in: Dyes and pigments 2024-05, Vol.224, p.111982, Article 111982
• Main Authors: Jia, Yixiao, Jiang, Xin, Liang, Yuanxin, Peng, Yingchen, Fang, Songjie, Yang, Ye, Miao, Chunyang, Lin, Yuze, Zhang, Shiming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymmetric structure; Exciton lifetime; Fused-ring electron acceptor; Organic photovoltaic; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0143-7208; 1873-3743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2024.111982

To achieve high performance organic photovoltaic hydrogen-evolution (OPH), it is crucial to extend the exciton lifetime of organic photovoltaic catalysis. This is primarily because it increases the exciton diffusion length. In this work, a new asymmetric organic photovoltaic catalysis (BTP-eC9-B4F) has been developed, which achieves a longer exciton lifetime of 1.25 ns and a higher fluorescence quantum yield of 9.4 % compared to symmetric structures. This has been made possible by using asymmetric end groups. Experimental results demonstrate that the photocatalyst with a longer exciton lifetime exhibits a more efficient average hydrogen evolution rate of 121.57 mmol h−1 g−1 under AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm−2 for 5 h. Therefore, extending the lifetime of excitons has been shown to be an effective approach to achieve high efficiency OPH. High performance organic photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is realized by prolonging exciton lifetime and enhancing exciton transport. [Display omitted] •The asymmetric non-fullerene electron acceptor BTP-eC9-B4F was synthesized.•An effect of 121.57 mmol h−1 g−1 in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was achieved.•BTP-eC9-B4F showed long exciton lifetime of 1.25 ns?