Embedding molecular photosensitizers and catalysts in nanoporous block copolymer membranes for visible-light driven hydrogen evolution

Abstract

The integration of molecular photosensitizers and catalysts into functional soft matter supports holds great promise for future energy conversion technologies. Herein, we report the electrostatic immobilization of the molecular molybdenum sulfide hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ and the photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ on the surface of nanoporous block copolymer membranes. The resulting hybrid materials show sustained visible light-driven hydrogen evolution in acidic media, even at low photosensitizer loadings. Initial mechanistic studies highlight the stability and development challenges for this new composite materials class. The study therefore represents a major advance for the integration of molecular catalysts into nanostructured soft matter matrices.