Modification of Covalent Triazine-Based Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

The conversion of solar energy and water to hydrogen via semiconductor photocatalysts is one of the efficient strategies to mitigate the energy and environmental crisis. Conjugated polymeric photocatalysts have advantages over their inorganic counterparts. Their molecular structures, band structures, and electronic properties are easily tunable through molecular engineering to extend their spectral response ranges, improve their quantum efficiencies, and enhance their hydrogen evolution rates. In particular, covalent triazine-based frameworks (CTFs) present a strong potential for solar-driven hydrogen generation due to their large continuous pi-conjugated structure, high thermal and chemical stability, and efficient charge transfer and separation capability. Herein, synthesis strategies, functional optimization, and applications in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of CTFs since the first investigation are reviewed. Finally, the challenges of hydrogen generation for CTFs are summarized, and the direction of material modifications is proposed.

Automated summary

Conjugated polymeric photocatalysts have advantages in solar-driven hydrogen generation due to their tunable structures and excellent properties. Covalent triazine-based frameworks (CTFs) show promising potential as highly efficient photocatalysts. This review summarizes the synthesis strategies, functional optimization, and applications of CTFs in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The challenges and future directions for material modifications are also discussed.