Asymmetric polarization engineering enables efficient photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production in covalent triazine frameworks

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are promising photocatalysts for H₂O₂ production, but their performance is often limited by weak internal electric fields and rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.

Herein, an asymmetric polarization strategy was developed by introducing naphthalene units into the CTF framework. The resulting CTF-P1 exhibits enhanced dipole polarization, a stronger internal electric field, and more efficient charge separation and transport, achieving an H₂O₂ production rate of 2762.0 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ in pure water without sacrificial agents.

Mechanistic studies further reveal that the enhanced polarization facilitates both the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction and water oxidation reaction, thereby promoting efficient H₂O₂ photosynthesis.

This work provides a molecular design strategy for improving organic photocatalysts through asymmetric polarization engineering. The work entitled “Asymmetric polarization engineering of covalent triazine frameworks for efficient hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis” was published in Advanced Powder Materials (available online on 11 August 2026).