Probing Proton-Binding Sites and Electronic Structure in Brønsted Acid Modified Photocatalysts Using Soft X ray NEXAFS Spectroscopy (2026)

Photocatalytic oxygen reduction by two-electron process offers a sustainable route to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), yet its efficiency is limited by photogenerated carrier recombination before protons reach active sites during proton-coupled electron transfer. We developed a novel carbon nitride¿based photocatalyst that shifts the design focus from optimizing carrier dynamics to accelerating proton transfer, achieving 25 mmol g-1 h-1 H2O2 (212-fold over pristine carbon nitride). We aim to resolve the structural and electronic origin of this acceleration by employing near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Anticipated outcomes include structure¿performance correlations and insight of designing catalysts for efficient small-molecule conversion.