Light-induced hydrogen production from water using nickel(ii) catalysts and N-doped carbon-dot photosensitizers: catalytic efficiency enhancement by increase of catalyst nuclearity

Solar energy conversion to chemical energy via light-induced H2O splitting to O-2 and H-2 is considered to be a promising solution to meet the growing global energy demands. To make this transformation economically viable, it is necessary to develop sustainable photocatalytic systems. Herein, we present an efficient photocatalytic H-2 production system which relies on components comprised of low-cost and high-abundance elements. In particular, a series of mononuclear complexes [Ni((LS)-S-N)(3)](-) and [Ni((NN)-N-<^>)((LS)-S-N)(2)] and a hexanuclear complex [Ni((LS)-S-N)(2)](6) ((NN)-N-<^> = diimine and (LS-)-S-N = heterocyclic thioamidate with different group-substituents) were synthesized and utilized as catalysts, in combination with N-doped carbon dots as photosensitizer, for efficient H-2 evolution from aqueous protons. Differences in H-2 production efficiency were observed among the studied Ni(ii) catalysts, with complexes bearing ligands with stronger electron-donating ability exhibiting higher catalytic activity. A remarkable catalytic efficiency enhancement was observed for the hexanuclear complex, with catalyst loadings lower than those of the mononuclear Ni(ii) complexes, affording TONs >1550 (among the highest values reported for photocatalytic systems of similar type operating in H2O). These data provide an indication of catalytic cooperativity between the metal centers of the hexanuclear complex, and demonstrate the crucial role of atomically precise polynuclear Ni(ii) catalysts in light-induced H-2 production, a result that can guide future catalyst design towards the development of highly efficient, low-cost and environmentally benign photocatalytic systems.

Automated summary

Solar energy conversion to chemical energy through light-induced H2O splitting for hydrogen production can be achieved by developing sustainable photocatalytic systems. In this study, low-cost and high-abundance nickel catalysts combined with nitrogen-doped carbon dots were used to efficiently produce hydrogen from aqueous protons. The catalytic activity of the nickel catalysts was influenced by the electron-donating ability of the ligands, with the hexanuclear complex showing the highest catalytic efficiency. This study highlights the importance of precise polynuclear nickel catalysts in light-induced hydrogen production and provides a guide for future catalyst design.