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Unconstrained Coordination of Pt Single Atoms on Distorted g-C3N4 Enables Electronic Flexibility and Enhanced Microplastics Photoreforming
Original title: Unconstrained Coordination of Pt Single Atoms on Distorted g‐C 3 N 4 Enables Electronic Flexibility and Enhanced Microplastics Photoreforming
Summary
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses light to break down plastic waste—including PET, the plastic used in water bottles—into hydrogen fuel, turning a pollution problem into clean energy. This matters because microplastics are increasingly found in our water, food, and even bodies, so finding ways to actually break them down (rather than just collecting them) could help reduce our long-term exposure while also producing something useful. The technology is still in early research stages, but it points toward more sustainable ways to tackle plastic pollution at its source.
ABSTRACT The accumulation of microplastic waste has raised growing environmental concerns, motivating the development of sustainable strategies for plastic‐to‐fuel conversion. Here, we report a platinum single‐atom catalyst anchored on distorted graphitic carbon nitride (Pt 1 /CN) for efficient photocatalytic microplastics photoreforming. Unlike conventional planar g‐C 3 N 4 models, the locally distorted heptazine framework introduces off‐plane coordination environments that enable unconstrained Pt─N coordination and promote electronic flexibility. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals Pt─N coordination associated with distorted heptazine units, where distortion‐induced charge localization enhances interfacial electron transfer to Pt sites. In situ measurements under light irradiation further confirm efficient charge transfer at the Pt 1 /CN interface. Among various microplastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 533.18 µmol·g −1 ·h −1 , attributed to alkaline‐assisted ester bond cleavage. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that Pt single atoms facilitate hydrogen evolution by lowering H + reaction barrier and stabilizing key intermediates. This work elucidates the structure–activity relationship of Pt 1 in polymeric semiconductors and establishes a framework‐level design strategy for electronic flexibility in photocatalytic plastic‐to‐fuel conversion.