Photoaccumulation of Long‐Lived Reactive Electrons in a Microporous Ti(IV) Oxocluster‐Based Metal–Organic Framework for Light and Dark Photocatalysis

S Shilin Yao (Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK) K Katrin Heinzerling (Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris ESPCI Paris Ecole Normale Supérieure CNRS PSL University Paris 75005 France) S Sam A. J. Hillman (Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK) F Filip Podjaski (Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK) T Tianhao He (Department of Chemistry, Centre for Processable Electronics) A Alberto García‐Baldoví (Instituto de Tecnología Química (CSIC‐UPV) Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Universitat Politècnica de València Av. de los Naranjos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain) Y Yasmine Baghdadi (Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Processable Electronics Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK) K Khaled Dassouki (Institut Lavoisier de Versailles Université de Versailles St Quentin en Yvelines Université Paris Saclay  45 Avenue des Etats Unis Versailles 78035 France) H Hermenegildo García (Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química, CSIC-UPV) S Salvador Eslava (Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Processable Electronics) N Nathalie Steunou (Institut Lavoisier de Versailles Université de Versailles St Quentin en Yvelines Université Paris Saclay  45 Avenue des Etats Unis Versailles 78035 France) S Soranyel Gonzalez‐Carrero (Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK) S Sergio Navalón (Departamento de Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, C/Camino de Vera, s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain) G Georges Mouchaham (Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris, Ecole Normale Supérieure, ESPCI Paris, CNRS) C Christian Serre (Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris, Ecole Normale Supérieure, ESPCI Paris, CNRS) J James R. Durrant (Chemistry Research Laboratory)

Abstract

Abstract The microporous Ti 12 oxocluster‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) MIP‐177(Ti)‐LT exhibits excellent stability and photoactivity, making it highly promising for photocatalysis. Using transient and photoinduced absorption spectroscopies, the behavior of reactive electrons in MIP‐177(Ti)‐LT across femtosecond‐to‐second timescales is investigated. The framework shows efficient charge separation and slow decay kinetics, with photogenerated charges persisting into the microsecond‐second (µs‐s) range and displaying higher yields and slower recombination than benchmark MOFs MIL‐125(Ti)‐NH 2 and UiO‐66(Zr)‐NH 2 . Photogenerated holes oxidize water with an O 2 yield of 335 µmol g −1  h −1 in the presence of electron scavengers. Under continuous irradiation, long‐lived electrons accumulate, further enhanced by a hole scavenger (methanol). Remarkably, these electrons persist over 48 h post‐excitation under argon, accompanied by a reversible white‐to‐black color change. The stored electrons remain redox‐active, efficiently reducing added O 2 and methyl viologen. Dark addition of a Pt co‐catalyst to photocharged MIP‐177(Ti)‐LT induces H 2 evolution at ≈300 µmol g −1 (≈58 C g −1 ), corresponding to an accumulated electron density of one electron per 12 Ti atoms. These results highlight the photocharging properties of MIP‐177(Ti)‐LT and its potential for sustainable photocatalytic applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 8
Published February 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (16)

S

Shilin Yao

Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK

K

Katrin Heinzerling

Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris ESPCI Paris Ecole Normale Supérieure CNRS PSL University Paris 75005 France

S

Sam A. J. Hillman

Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK

F

Filip Podjaski

Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK

T

Tianhao He

Department of Chemistry, Centre for Processable Electronics

A

Alberto García‐Baldoví

Instituto de Tecnología Química (CSIC‐UPV) Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Universitat Politècnica de València Av. de los Naranjos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain

Y

Yasmine Baghdadi

Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Processable Electronics Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ UK

K

Khaled Dassouki

Institut Lavoisier de Versailles Université de Versailles St Quentin en Yvelines Université Paris Saclay  45 Avenue des Etats Unis Versailles 78035 France

H

Hermenegildo García

Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química, CSIC-UPV

S

Salvador Eslava

Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Processable Electronics

N

Nathalie Steunou

Institut Lavoisier de Versailles Université de Versailles St Quentin en Yvelines Université Paris Saclay  45 Avenue des Etats Unis Versailles 78035 France

S

Soranyel Gonzalez‐Carrero

Department of Chemistry Molecular Science Research Hub Imperial College London White City London W12 0BZ UK

S

Sergio Navalón

Departamento de Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, C/Camino de Vera, s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain

G

Georges Mouchaham

Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris, Ecole Normale Supérieure, ESPCI Paris, CNRS

C

Christian Serre

Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris, Ecole Normale Supérieure, ESPCI Paris, CNRS

J

James R. Durrant

Chemistry Research Laboratory