Photocatalytic Activity of Ionic Carbon Nitrides is Governed by Cation-Modulated Dark Exciton Dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Ionic polymeric carbon nitrides, poly(heptazine imides) (PHIs), have emerged as promising photocatalysts, yet the relationship between their structure, exciton dynamics, and activity has remained elusive so far. Here, a direct link is established between photocatalytic activity, spectroscopic properties, and theoretical analysis of structural effects on exciton behavior in water-soluble PHIs with different cations. Using steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy alongside ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy performed in the absence and presence of hole and electron quenchers, two distinct excitonic relaxation pathways are uncovered: sub-100 ps decay dominated by exciton recombination and shallow-trap states, and sub-ns dynamics associated with deep-trap assisted recombin

SUBMITTER: Konar A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622463 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature