Photocatalytic activity enhancement of PDI supermolecular via pi-pi action and energy level adjusting with graphene quantum dots

Herein, perylene bisimide supramolecular (PDI) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were successfully layer-by -layer assembled via electrostatic interaction. The apparent rate constant of photocatalytic reaction for phenol degradation of GQDs/PDI-14 % (0.018 min(-1)) was 4.73 times as high as nano PDI under visible light. Besides, the rate of H-2 production of GQDs/PDI-14 % (1.6 mmol g(-1)h(-1)) was 1.88 times over that of pure PDI. GQDs is helpful for the electrons delocalization via pi-pi action with PDI. Moreover, the quantum confinement effect of GQDs promotes electron transfer from GQDs to PDI, which helps the conduction band of PDI shift to more negative position and further enhance the reduction ability of PDI. The work may afford some interesting ideas for designing efficient quantum dots-modified supramolecular organic photocatalysts.

Automated summary

In this study, PDI and GQDs were successfully assembled layer-by-layer through electrostatic interaction, showing a high rate constant of photocatalytic reaction and hydrogen production. GQDs help with electron delocalization and transfer to enhance the reduction ability of PDI, offering new ideas for designing efficient quantum dots-modified organic photocatalysts.