π frameworks, defined as a type of porous supramolecular materials weaved from conjugated molecular units by π-π stacking interactions, provide a new direction in photocatalysis. However, such examples are rarely reported. Herein, we report a supramolecular-nanocage-based π framework constructed from a photoactive Cu(I) complex unit. Structurally, 24 Cu(I) complex units stack together through π-π stacking interactions, forming a truncated octahedral nanocage with sodalite topology. The inner diameter of the nanocage is 2.8 nm. By sharing four open faces, each nanocage connects with four equivalent ones, forming a 3D porous π framework (π-2). π-2 shows good thermal and chemical stability, which can adsorb CO2, iodine, and methyl orange molecules. More importantly, π-2 can serve as a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. With ultrafine Pt subnanometer particles (0.9±0.1 nm) incorporated into the nanocages as a co-catalyst, the hydrogen evolution rate reaches a record-high value of 524012 μmol/gPt/h in the absence of any additional photosensitizers. The high photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the ultrafine size of the Pt particles, as well as the fast electron transfer from π-2 to the highly active Pt upon illumination. π-2 represents the unique stable supramolecular-cage-based π framework with excellent photocatalytic activity.
Keywords: Supramolecular nanocage; hydrogen evolution reaction; photocatalysis; π framework; π-π stacking.
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