CH-π interaction boosts photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity of a molecular cobalt catalyst anchored on carbon nitride

Abstract

Summary: The construction of efficient noble-metal-free systems for visible-light-driven CO2 reduction still remains a key challenge. Here, we report an efficient molecular hybrid system composed of a Co-PYN5 catalyst that contains a pyrene functionality that anchors on g-C3N4 dye surface via CH-π interactions. This hybrid material achieves high turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs) for visible light reduction of CO2 to CO of 533 and 95 h−1 that are within the best reported up to now. The improved performance is rationalized in terms of the electronic coupling that takes place with the π system of the pyrene group with both the g-C3N4 surface and the Co-pyridyl moiety of the catalysts.

Keywords

• CO2 reduction
• carbon nitride
• noble-metal-free photocatalysis
• CH-π interactions
• cobalt complexes
• solar fuels