Fabrication of MOFs’ derivatives assisted perovskite nanocrystal on TiO2 photoanode for photoelectrochemical glycerol oxidation with simultaneous hydrogen production

Metal-organic framework derived N-doped carbon TiO2/CsPbBr3/TiO2 nanorod arrays (MOF-derived TiO2(N-C)/CPB/TiO2) as photoanode material is developed. The modification of MOF-derivatives assisted CPB simultaneously enhances the optical-response and carrier separation of the photoanode. By optimizing the acid electrolyte composition with glycerol adding, the interfacial hole injection efficiency is greatly enhanced. Meanwhile, 1,3-dihydroxyacetone and glyaldehyde can be produced as oxidation products, maximizing the overall photo-induced carrier utilization. [Display omitted] •MOF-derived TiO2(N-C)/CPB/TiO2 photoanode is constructed with finely regulated energy-band alignment.•The carrier separation and optical-response of photoanode are promoted by the MOF-derivatives assisted CPB.•By optimizing acid electrolyte composition with glycerol adding, the hole injection efficiency is enhanced.•With glycerol, 1,3-dihydroxyacetone and glyaldehyde are produced with H2 production. To alleviate the energy-crisis and achieve sustainable development, developing efficient energy production strategies is urgent. Here, a novel hierarchical photoanode based on metal-organic framework derived N-doped-carbon TiO2/CsPbBr3/TiO2 (MOF-derived TiO2(N-C)/CPB/TiO2) nanorod is constructed as photoanode for high-performance photoelectrochemical (PEC) glycerol oxidation with simultaneous hydrogen production, to demonstrate a high reactant efficiency during water splitting. With the modification of MOF derivatives assisted CPB, the optical-response and carrier separation are greatly enhanced. The chemical bonding between CPB and MOF-derived N-C can anchor the CPB nanoparticles on the MOF-derived framework, ensuring system stability. By optimizing the electrolyte composition with glycerol adding to the acid Na2SO4 electrolyte, the electrode/electrolyte interfacial carrier injection efficiency is greatly enhanced, leading to improved photocurrent density. Simultaneously, this electrolyte composition adjustment produces value-added chemical materials (1,3-dihydroxyacetone and glyaldehyde), thereby improving the overall photo-induced carrier utilization. With the above synergy optimization, the TiO2(N-C)/CPB/TiO2 photoanode achieves enhanced photocurrent density of 4.50 mA cm−2 at the bias of 1.2 V vs. RHE (in acid Na2SO4/glycerol electrolyte). This work provides novel ideas to construct high-efficient PEC systems with improved carrier utilization efficiency for both high-value chemical and