Photochargeable Mn-Based Metal–Organic Framework and Decoupled Photocatalysis

Abstract

Designing multifunctional materials that mimic the light-dark decoupling of natural photosynthesis is a key challenge in the field of energy conversion. Herein, we introduce MnBr-253, a precious metal-free metal–organic framework (MOF) built on Al nodes, bipyridine linkers and MnBr(CO)3(bipyridine) complexes. Upon irradiation, MnBr-253 colloids demonstrate an electron photocharging capacity of ~42 C ⋅ g−1MOF, with state-of-the-art photocharging rate (1.28 C ⋅ s−1 ⋅ g−1MOF) and incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of ~9.4 % at 450 nm. Spectroscopic and computational studies support effective electron accumulation at the Mn complex while high porosity and Mn loading account for the notable electron storage performance. The charged MnBr-253 powders were successfully applied for hydrogen evolution under dark conditions thus emulating the light-decoupled reactivity of photosynthesis.