Donor–Acceptor Supramolecular Organic Nanofibers as Visible-Light Photoelectrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production

Perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) derivatives have been extensively studied for one-dimensional (1D) self-assembled systems and for applications in photocatalysis. Herein, we constructed a PTCDI-based donor-acceptor (D-A) supramolecular system via in situ self-assembly on an indium tin oxide conductive glass surface. The self-assembled PTCDI nanostructures exhibit well-defined nanofibril morphologies and strong photocurrents. Interestingly, a strong and reversible electrochromic color change was observed during cyclic voltammetry. The color of the nanofibers changed from red to blue and then to violet as the reduction progressed to the radical anion and then to the dianion. This series of one-electron reductions was confirmed by UV absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and hydrazine reduction. Most importantly, these PTCDI nanofibers exhibit efficient photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production with remarkable stability under xenon lamp illumination (λ ≥ 420 nm). Among the three nanofibers prepared, the fibers assembled from PTCDI molecule 2 were found to be the most effective catalyst with 30% Faradaic efficiency. In addition, the nanofibers produced hydrogen at a steady-state for more than 8 h and produced repeatable results in 3 consecutive testing cycles, giving them great potential for practical industrial applications. Under an applied bias voltage, the 1D intermolecular stacking along the long axis of the nanofibers affords efficient separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers, which play a crucial role in the photoelectrocatalytic process. As a proof-of-concept, the D-A-structured PTCDI nanofibers presented herein may guide future research on photoelectrocatalysis based on self-assembled supramolecular systems by providing more options for material design of the catalysts to achieve greater efficiencies.