Designing porphyrin-based covalent triazine framework polymer composites with Cp*Rh catalytic sites for solar-driven CO₂ conversion and oxidation reactions

Abstract

The pursuit of sustainable energy conversion and environmentally friendly chemical transformations has inspired the development of multifunctional photocatalysts that can facilitate a range of reactions under mild conditions. In this study, we share our exciting progress in designing and fabricating visible-light-responsive porphyrin-based covalent triazine frameworks composites (PBCTFs), crafted from 4,4′,4″,4″‘-(porphyrin-5,10,15,20-tetrayl) tetrabenzonitrile. The PBCTFs' composites photocatalysts show a broad ability to harness light, efficient charge separation, and excellent structural stability. These special features give PBCTFs composites impressive photocatalytic capabilities: (i) solar-powered NADH regeneration with an impressive efficiency of 83.60%, which in turn helps drive the biocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to formic acid, yielding 179.33 μM, and (ii) selective aerobic oxidation of aromatic sulfides into sulfoxides under soft conditions. Their dual catalytic activities highlight the impressive versatility of PBCTFs composites as a strong platform connecting solar energy use with eco-friendly chemical production. Not only does this work showcase the multifunctional promise of PBCTFs composites, but it also offers fresh insights into the smart design of organic framework-based photocatalysts for sustainable energy solutions and green chemical processes.