The invention belongs to the technical field of
photocatalysis and functional coordination
chemistry, and particularly relates to a
metal organic cage catalyst based on ligand
engineering regulation and a method for photocatalytic synthesis of
hydrogen peroxide in pure water. According to the invention, a tripyridine ligand containing
pyridinium substituent groups is designed through a ligand
engineering strategy, and the tripyridine ligand and
zinc ions are self-assembled to form the
metal organic cage catalyst with a tetrahedral structure. By introducing a
pyridinium group into a ligand structure, the
electron attraction capability of a
system is enhanced, and an efficient charge transfer channel is formed. Active intermediates (such as hydroxyl free radicals and
superoxide free radicals) are effectively stabilized by the confinement space of the cage body, and the
decomposition reaction of
hydrogen peroxide is inhibited. The structure can efficiently separate photo-induced electrons and holes under the illumination condition and promote the double-two-
electron synergistic process of
oxygen reduction reaction and water oxidation reaction, so that
hydrogen peroxide is efficiently generated in a pure water
system without a sacrificial agent.