Boosting the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity for linear conjugated polymers by hydroxy functionalization

The benzobisthiazole-based D-A type linear conjugated polymers (PBT and PHBT) were synthesized by a facile and metal-free route. The effects of hydroxy functionalization on the photocatalytic performance were systematically investigated by UV–vis, PL, CV, TP, and EIS, showing that the hydroxy functionalization dramatically improved the visible light absorbance, inhibited the recombination of electron–hole pairs, and increased the transport and utilization efficiency of photo-generated charge carriers. As a result, PHBT exhibited a hydrogen evolution rate of 14.67 mmol g−1 h−1, far higher than that of PBT.