Construction and Microenvironment Regulation of Short Charge Transfer Tunnel at MOF/COF Heterointerfaces for Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution.

Li, Hanxi; Li, Zhi-Gang; Zhang, Xinghao; Jiao, Huiye; Wang, Haichao; Fan, Zhenhai; Wang, Yutong; Li, Yang et al. · Adv Mater · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Raising electron transfer efficiency is a crucial issue in improving photocatalytic productivity. Herein, we propose a strategy for anchoring single atoms and the establishment of a short-distance electron transport pathway. By incorporating nitrogen-containing monodentate ligands into UIO-66-NH<sub>2</sub>, Pt single atom could be co-anchored by both the nitrogen atom and the vacant Zr-oxo cluster. Subsequently, the Pt-containing UIO was condensed with TpPa-1. Thereby, a molecular-level electron transfer pathway from TpPa to Pt has been established at the heterointerface between TpPa and UIO. By rationally adjusting the positions of the functional groups (-H, -Cl, and -OCH<sub>3</sub>) in the monodentate ligand, their involvement in the pathway was precisely regulated. They functioned as electron relays when positioned at the ortho-position of the amino group, thereby facilitating the electron delivery. Cl exhibited a more pronounced effect compared to OCH<sub>3</sub>, UPT-o-Cl achieved the maximum H<sub>2</sub> yield of 14.21 mmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>. Mechanism calculations revealed that the groups located along the pathway would regulate the microenvironment of the constructed tunnels, resulting in a higher electron density and enhanced ability to adsorb H intermediates of the Pt sites. This research reports a strategy for precisely regulating the microenvironment adjacent to the active site, providing new insights into enhancing carrier mobility and utilization efficiency.