Photo-Driven Quasi-Topological Transformation Exposing Highly Active Nitrogen Cation Sites for Enhanced Photocatalytic H₂O₂ Production

Herein, the exposure of highly-active nitrogen cation sites has been accomplished by photo-driven quasi-topological transformation of a 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione-based covalent organic framework (COF), which contributes to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis during the 2-electron O-2 photoreduction. The exposed nitrogen cation sites with photo-enhanced Lewis acidity not only act as the electron-transfer motor to adjust the inherent charge distribution, powering continuous and stable charge separation, and broadening visible-light adsorption, but also providing a large number of active sites for O-2 adsorption. The optimal catalyst shows a high H2O2 production rate of 11965 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) under visible light irradiation and a remarkable apparent quantum yield of 12.9 % at 400 nm, better than most of the previously reported COF photocatalysts. This work provides new insights for designing photo-switchable nitrogen cation sites as catalytic centers toward efficient solar to chemical energy conversion.