Biomimetic-photo-coupled catalysis for boosting H2O2 production

Inspired by the photo-enzyme-coupled catalytic system in chloroplasts, we developed a composite catalyst with both photocatalytic and biomimetic catalytic activity for H2O2 production by loading gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, enzyme mimics) on graphite carbon nitride (GCN, photocatalyst) nanosheets using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the "bridge". The introduction of PEI and AuNPs can adjust the electronic structure of GCN, facilitating the rapid separation of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, surface plasmon resonance of AuNPs excited by incident light promotes the activation of glucose molecules, elevating their reactivity with O2, thereby improving the glucose oxidase-mimicking catalytic production of H2O2. Furthermore, the grafting of PEI and the addition of glucose enhance the O2 adsorption on the catalyst surface. Thus, both biomimetic catalytic and photocatalytic reduction of O2 to H2O2 are boosted, achieving a significant synergistic enhancement effect of 175%. This study provided a novel design strategy for catalysts and a green routine for efficient H2O2 production.