Replication data of Lotsch group for: "Covalent Organic Framework Nanoplates Enable Solution-Processed Crystalline Nanofilms for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution"

Here, we present the synthesis of colloidal COF nanoplates, with lateral sizes of ∼200 nm and average heights of 35 nm, and their utilization as photocathodes for solar hydrogen evolution.

The resulting COF nanoplate colloid exhibits a unimodal particle-size distribution and an exceptional colloidal stability without showing agglomeration after storage for 10 months and enables smooth, homogeneous, and thickness-tunable COF nanofilms via spin coating. Photoelectrodes comprising COF nanofilms were fabricated for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-to-hydrogen conversion. By rationally designing multicomponent photoelectrode architectures including a polymer donor/COF heterojunction and a hole-transport layer, charge recombination in COFs is mitigated, resulting in a significantly increased photocurrent density and an extremely positive onset potential for PEC hydrogen evolution (over +1 V against the reversible hydrogen electrode), among the best of classical semiconductor-based photocathodes.