Encapsulating bimetallic nanoparticles on Mn_0.3Cd_0.7S solid solution for boosted photocatalytic selective imines...

The synergetic combination of hydrogen (H₂) generation with benzylamine (BA) dehydrogenation shows promise in terms of avoiding sacrificial agents and emitting pollutants without using up unlimited solar energy. However, the rational design of the electron transfer bridge and active sites of photocatalysts remains constrained, reducing the effectiveness of the target selective photocatalytic BA dehydrogenation coupling (PBDC) system. Herein, a bimetallic CuCo nanoparticles used as an efficient cocatalyst is coated on the Mn_0.3Cd_0.7S (MCS) nanorods (CuCo/MCS) that endows an optimal electronic structure, a directional electron transport tunnel, and suitable reactive sites for the PBDC reaction. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal that the synergistic effect of Cu and Co nanoparticles lowers the overall energy barrier of BA, facilitating the N-benzylidenebenzylamine (NBBA) and H₂ generation. The incorporation of CuCo nanoparticles as cocatalysts into MCS not only reduces the overpotential of proton reduction but also weakens the adsorption of imine, thus producing H₂ at a rate of 14.10 mmol g^-1 h^-1, with a BA conversion of 94.43 % and selectivity of 99 %. This work will offer a profound understanding of bimetal-anchored photocatalysts in electron transfer for synergetic renewable fuels and valuable chemical production.