Oxygen Modulation by Ni Metal Sites in Resorcinol‐Formaldehyde Resins for Boosted Photocatalytic H2O2 Production From Pure Water

Utilizing polymeric catalysts to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) via photocatalysis for various industrial applications is a promising avenue, but the application potential is constrained by their low charge separation efficiency and the capacity for oxygen adsorption and activation. Herein, a polymeric catalyst (NiRF) modified with Ni metal sites on resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin is presented, which can efficiently produce H₂O₂ through photocatalysis in pure water. The optimal NiRF-5 exhibits an impressive H₂O₂ generation rate of up to 31.75 mm g^-1 h^-1 under visible light irradiation, significantly outperforming most catalysts reported to date. Experimental results coupled with theoretical calculations simulation, indicate that the incorporation of nickel ions modulates the band structure of the NiRF resin and provides active sites conducive to the transformation of oxygen. The Ni metal active sites significantly regulate the adsorption capacity of NiRF for O₂ and ensure a suitable adsorption configuration and energy. This work provides a novel design concept for RF-based photocatalysts and offers an approach for the development of methods for the efficient photocatalytic production of H₂O₂.