2025/09/01 by Morgan P. Le Dû, David P. Kosbahn, Thomas Baier +9 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Energy · Materials Science · #Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques #Covalent Organic Framework Applications #Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/cssc.202501550
openalex publication_date 2025/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/09/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Photocatalytic water splitting enables the generation of green hydrogen (H 2 ). In this framework, water and sunlight are the sustainable sources. Photocatalyst‐loaded hydrogel materials have already shown their potential as a water storage and catalyst host matrix for H 2 production. This study explores the thin film geometry of such systems to demonstrate the scalability of photocatalysis. Graphitic carbon nitride is used as a catalyst and combined with platinum as a co‐catalyst. The resulting catalytic centers are introduced in poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel thin films. First, the swelling behavior of the resulting hybrid hydrogels is studied under high relative humidity, and the influence of different catalyst loadings is discussed. Then, time‐of‐flight neutron reflectometry is used to access the vertical material composition inside the hybrid thin film in the dry state, which shows an enrichment layer of catalyst at the substrate–bulk interface. Operando grazing incidence small‐angle neutron scattering displays the microscopic changes happening under heavy water (D 2 O) vapor and light irradiation. Next, gas chromatography demonstrates the potential of the studied hydrogel films by determining their H 2 production rates. The recorded H 2 production is correlated to the microstructure analysis and reveals the importance of the observed catalyst enrichment layer.