Preparation of polymer nano-photocatalysts by using triton X-100 to improve performance of photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Organic semiconducting polymer nano-particles, as nano-photocatalysts for light driven proton reduction, have been prepared by using Triton X-100 as surfactant. The nano-photocatalysts prepared by Triton X-100 showed well dispersibility in water and no precipitation observed after photocatalysis. The effect of molecular weight and concentration on photocatalysis has been investigated, indicating that the particle size shows significant influence on photocatalytic performance. The sample with 100 µg/ml photocatalysts gave the best hydrogen evolution amount of 0.4 µmol/ml and apparent quantum yield of 1.3% at 450 nm.