A layered lead halide framework intercalated with Ru(bpy)3 for efficient CO2 photoreduction

Abstract Three-dimensional lead halide hybrids exhibit excellent photophysical properties but suffer from inherent instability. In contrast, two-dimensional layered lead halides offer enhanced environmental stability, yet their strongly bound excitons restrict efficient charge transport. Here we pre...

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Main Authors: Yilin Jiang, Ruonan Xi, Jinlin Yin, Chen Sun, Yukong Li, Chao Wu, Chi Zhang, Honghan Fei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60954-4
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Summary:Abstract Three-dimensional lead halide hybrids exhibit excellent photophysical properties but suffer from inherent instability. In contrast, two-dimensional layered lead halides offer enhanced environmental stability, yet their strongly bound excitons restrict efficient charge transport. Here we present a covalent intercalation strategy involving the benchmark photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)3]2+ into a layered lead halide framework, featuring cationic [Pb23X42]4+ (X− = Cl− or Br−) layers pillared by [Ru(bpy)3]2+ ligands via Pb2+-carboxylate coordination. This hybrid material achieves nearly full visible-light absorption and efficient photoinduced charge transfer from [Ru(bpy)3]2+ to the lead halide layers. This affords efficient CO2-to-CO photoreduction with an apparent quantum efficiency of ~3.0% at 500 nm, exceeding the performance of all previously reported organolead halide photocatalysts. Mechanistic studies indicate that the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ ligands enhance charge transport to Pb2+ sites, facilitating CO2 activation and reducing the reaction barrier for the *COOH intermediate. This work establishes a paradigm for intercalation chemistry in robust layered lead halide hybrids.
ISSN:2041-1723