Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2025, Vol. 77: 45-69.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64788-7

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Electronic structure modulation of metal based organic catalysts for photocatalytic H2O2 production

Wenhui Qia, Xiuyan Lib, Shaonan Gua,*(), Bin Suna, Yinan Wanga, Guowei Zhoua,*()   

  1. aKey Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in Universities of Shandong, Jinan Engineering Laboratory for Multi-scale Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, Shandong, China
    bSchool of Chemical Engineering and Environment, Shandong Engineering Research Center of Green and High-value Marine Fine Chemical, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang 262700, Shandong, China
  • Received:2025-05-18 Accepted:2025-06-14 Online:2025-10-18 Published:2025-10-05
  • Contact: *E-mail: sngu@qlu.edu.cn (S. Gu), gwzhou@qlu.edu.cn (G. Zhou).
  • About author:Shaonan Gu (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology) received his Ph.D degree in 2016 from the University of Science and Technology Beijing. He then conducted postdoctoral research at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University from 2016 to 2018, respectively. His research interests center on designing and synthesizing photocatalysts with activities for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production and photocatalytic water splitting, as well as developing and investigating energy conversion and storage materials such as lithium ions and lithium sulfur battery electrodes, including their structural properties through theoretical calculations. His recent progresses focused on the theory and application of materials like MOFs, rare earth single atoms, and COFs in photo- and electro-catalysis. Now he has published over 80 peer-reviewed papers.
    Guowei Zhou (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology) received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry at Shandong University (1986, 1989, and 2001). He carried out postdoctoral research in Prof. Young Soo Kang’s group at Pukyong National University (Korea) from 2012 to 2013 and worked as an advanced research scholar in Prof. Shihe Yang’s group at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from 2015 to 2016. He is currently a Professor at Qilu University of Technology. His research group focuses primarily on the design, controlled synthesis, modification, and hierarchical assembly mesostructure functional materials with specific morphology for energy applications including batteries and photocatalysis. His current research interests include the different application of functional mesoporous materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, environmental remediation, and energy conversion and storage. He has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers. He was granted 54 national invention patents in China. He also serves as the editor for Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin. from 2025.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22108133);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52472215);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52202102);National Natural Science Foundation of China(51972180);Science, Education and Industry Integration Innovation Pilot Project from Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)(2024ZDZX13)

Abstract:

Photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has emerged as a promising approach because of its simplicity and environmental benefits. However, significant challenges remain obstacles to their advancement, such as the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and sluggish surface redox reactions on nonmetallic organic catalysts. Metal-based organic catalysts with tunable electronic structures are considered ideal for exploring the mechanisms and structure-performance relationships in H2O2 synthesis. This review summarizes the fundamental principles of photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis via oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions. Recent advancements in electronic structure tuning strategies for metal-based organic catalysts are critically examined, focusing on their impact on light absorption range, photogenerated carrier separation, O2 activation, and the selective generation of H2O2. In addition, this review comprehensively evaluates the applications of sacrificial agents in photocatalytic reaction systems and offers insights into the future development of metal-based organic catalysts for H2O2 photosynthesis.

Key words: Metal based organic catalysts, Electronic structure, Photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis, Oxygen reduction reaction, Water oxidation reaction, S-scheme photocatalysis