A photochargeable semiconductor for highly efficient dehydrogenative coupling of amines
Jie Luo1,2,3, Xinyu Chen1,2, Lihini Jayasinghe1
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Nature Chemistry
|March 30, 2026
Summary
Photochargeable zinc indium sulfide nanocrystals enable efficient amine coupling and hydrogen production. These novel semiconductors store charge, boosting photocatalysis even in the dark, paving the way for sustainable chemical transformations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Developing materials with high photocatalytic efficiency is crucial for sustainable chemical transformations.
- Efficient charge storage in photocatalysts is key to enhancing reaction rates and product selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce photochargeable zinc indium sulfide (ZnInS) nanocrystals with significant charge storage capacity.
- To demonstrate the application of these nanocrystals in the highly efficient photocatalytic dehydrogenative coupling of amines.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of zinc indium sulfide nanocrystals.
- Photocatalytic reactions using ZnInS nanocrystals and a nickel cocatalyst.
- Mechanistic studies to understand charge storage and trap states (e.g., sulfur vacancies).
- Scalability testing of the photocatalytic system.
Main Results:
- ZnInS nanocrystals exhibit notable charge storage capacity.
- The system achieved high rates of diamine and hydrogen production (>120 mmol/g/h) with >95% selectivity.
- Apparent quantum efficiency reached up to 39.4% under ambient conditions.
- Demonstrated scalability with a 20-g scale reaction and versatility in other coupling and polymerization reactions.
Conclusions:
- Photochargeable ZnInS nanocrystals offer a promising platform for efficient photocatalysis.
- In situ-generated trap states (sulfur vacancies) enable extended hydrogen production into the dark cycle.
- Enhanced charge utilization efficiency and broad applicability position these materials for future sustainable chemical processes.
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