Microporous organic nanorods with electronic push-pull skeletons for visible light-induced hydrogen evolution from water.

This work shows that microporous organic network (MON) chemistry can be successfully applied for the development of a visible light-induced hydrogen production system. A visible light harvesting MON (VH-MON) was prepared by the Knoevenagel condensation of tri-(4-formylphenyl)amine with [1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diacetonitrile. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a 1D rod morphology of the VH-MON. Analysis of a N[sub 2] sorption isotherm showed a 474 m[sup 2] g[sup -1] surface area and microporosity. Solid phase [sup 13]C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy, and elemental analysis support the expected network structure. The VH-MON showed visible light absorption in 400-530 nm and vivid emission at 542 nm. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the VH-MON were simulated at -5.1 and -2.4 eV, respectively, by density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The VH-MON/TiO[sub 2]-Pt composite exhibited promising activity and enhanced stability as a photocatalytic system for visible light-induced hydrogen production from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]