Photoactive Organo-Sulfur Polymers for Hydrogen Generation

Herein, we report the synthesis of photoactive polymeric organo-sulfur (POS) materials. These polymers absorb light in the ultraviolet/visible and near-infrared region of the solar spectrum, and upon irradiation, they reduce water to hydrogen (H-2). The decoration of POS materials with nitrile (-CN) groups is found to be the critical factor for enhanced interactions with the co-catalyst, Ni2P, leading to greater H-2 evolution rates compared to the nitrile-free POS material.

Automated summary

Here, the synthesis of photoactive polymeric organo-sulfur (POS) materials is reported. These polymers can absorb light in the ultraviolet/visible and near-infrared region, and convert water to hydrogen (H-2) upon irradiation. The addition of nitrile (-CN) groups to the POS materials is found to significantly enhance the interaction with the co-catalyst, Ni2P, resulting in higher rates of H-2 evolution compared to the nitrile-free POS material.