Biopolymer-supramolecular polymer hybrids for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Solar generation of H is a promising strategy for dense energy storage. Supramolecular polymers composed of chromophore amphiphile monomers containing perylene monoimide (PMI) have been reported as crystalline light-harvesting assemblies for aqueous H-evolving catalysts. Gelation of these supramolecular polymers with multivalent ions creates hydrogels with high diffusivity but insufficient mechanical stability and catalyst retention for reusability.