Strain-Induced Surface Interface Dual Polarization Constructs PML-Cu/BiOBr High-Density Active Sites for CO Photoreduction.

The insufficient active sites and slow interfacial charge transfer of photocatalysts restrict the efficiency of CO photoreduction. The synchronized modulation of the above key issues is demanding and challenging. Herein, strain-induced strategy is developed to construct the Bi-O-bonded interface in Cu porphyrin-based monoatomic layer (PML-Cu) and BiOBr (BOB), which triggers the surface interface dual polarization of PML-Cu/BOB (PBOB). In this multi-step polarization, the built-in electric field formed between the interfaces induces the electron transfer from conduction band (CB) of BOB to CB of PML-Cu and suppresses its reverse migration. Moreover, the surface polarization of PML-Cu further promotes the electron converge in Cu atoms. The introduction of PML-Cu endows a high density of dispersed Cu active sites on the surface of PBOB, significantly promoting the adsorption and activation of CO and CO desorption. The conversion rate of CO photoreduction to CO for PBOB can reach 584.3 μmol g, which is 7.83 times higher than BOB and 20.01 times than PML-Cu. This work offers valuable insights into multi-step polarization regulation and active site design for catalysts.