Tunable linear donor-π-acceptor conjugated polymers with a vinylene linkage for visible-light driven hydrogen evolution

This work demonstrated the rational design and synthesis of donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) linear vinylene-linked polymers for visible-light driven H 2 production with high efficiency. Extending the in-plane conjugation, enhancing the electron push-pull interaction or/and lowering the steric hindrance of the D-π-A type linear conjugated polymer could broaden the visible-light absorption band, promote the photogenerated charge separation and transfer, and thus improve the photocatalytic performance. Extending the in-plane conjugation or/and increasing the electron push-pull interaction of linear D-π-A polymers with a vinylene linkage could broaden the visible-light absorption band, promote the charge separation and transfer and the photocatalytic hydrogen production.