Abstract
Photocatalytic hydrogen generation via water decomposition is a promising avenue in the pursuit of large-scale, cost-effective renewable hydrogen energy generation. However, the design of an efficient photocatalyst plays a crucial role in achieving high yields in hydrogen generation. Herein, we have engineered a fullerene-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa(octyloxy)copper phthalocyanine (C(60)-CuPcOC(8)) photocatalyst, achieving both efficient hydrogen generation and high stability. The significant donor-acceptor (D-A) interactions facilitate the efficient electron transfer from CuPcOC(8) to C(60). The rate of photocatalytic hydrogen generation for C(60)-CuPcOC(8) is 8.32 mmol·g(-1)·h(-1), which is two orders of magnitude higher than the individual C(60) and CuPcOC(8). The remarkable increase in hydrogen generation activity can be attributed to the development of a robust internal electric field within the C(60)-CuPcOC(8) assembly. It is 16.68 times higher than that of the pure CuPcOC(8). The strong internal electric field facilitates the rapid separation within 0.6 ps, enabling photogenerated charge transfer efficiently. Notably, the hydrogen generation efficiency of C(60)-CuPcOC(8) remains above 95%, even after 10 h, showing its exceptional photocatalytic stability. This study provides critical insight into advancing the field of photocatalysis.