Citation: Hequn Yang, Fei Rao, Dean Pan, Liu Chen, Numan Abbas, Gangqiang Zhu. Rare earth praseodymium single atoms on g-C₃N₄ tubes for enhanced in-plane charge transfer towards H₂O₂ production in pure water[J]. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, ;2026, 42(6): 100210. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100210 shu

Rare earth praseodymium single atoms on g-C₃N₄ tubes for enhanced in-plane charge transfer towards H₂O₂ production in pure water

Hequn Yang ^1,2 ,
Fei Rao ^1,, ,
Dean Pan ² ,
Liu Chen ¹ ,
Numan Abbas ¹ ,
Gangqiang Zhu ^1,,

1.
Quantum Materials and Devices Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province's High Education Institution, School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, Shaanxi Province, China;
2.
Jiangxi Jingshun Low Carbon Technology Co., Ltd., Gaoan 330899, Jiangxi Province, China

Corresponding author: Fei Rao, Gangqiang Zhu,
Received Date: 7 September 2025
Revised Date: 21 October 2025
Accepted Date: 22 October 2025

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is regarded as an ecologically sustainable oxidant with broad applications. Photocatalytic generation of H₂O₂ from pure water and oxygen offers a green and energy-efficient alternative to conventional processes. Here, single-atom praseodymium (Pr) was anchored onto tubular porous graphitic carbon nitride (Pr-TCN) via a simple impregnation method for visible-light-induced H₂O₂ production (λ ≥ 420 nm). The isolated Pr sites accelerate the in-plane charge transfer by establishing a smooth and flexible transfer pathway for photogenerated electrons, and promote *OOH intermediate formation, thereby enhancing water oxidation. The optimized 5% Pr-TCN achieves a H₂O₂ generation rate of 227.37 μmol g^-1 h^-1, 1.8 times higher than unadulterated TCN. This work demonstrates a scalable single-atom engineering strategy for developing efficient photocatalysts for sustainable H₂O₂ production.
- Pr single-atom,
- Visible-light-induced oxygen reduction,
- Hydrogen peroxide production,
- Polymeric carbon nitride
1. [1]
  B. Bayarkhuu, H. Cho, G. Cho, J. Hong, Y. Hong, S.-W. Baek, S. Yang, C.T. Yavuz, H.S. Kim, J. Byun, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2411661, https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202411661.
2. [2]
  X. Zhang, J. Xu, H. Long, J. Yu, H. Yu, ACS Catal. 14 (2024) 18669, https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.4c05674.
3. [3]
  X. Zhou, S. Yang, X. Wang, Z. Wu, Y. Huo, J. Zhang, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 234 (2025) 60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2025.02.027.
4. [4]
  J. Cai, J. Huang, S. Wang, J. Iocozzia, Z. Sun, J. Sun, Y. Yang, Y. Lai, Z. Lin, Adv. Mater. 31 (2019) 1806314, https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201806314.
5. [5]
  J. Cai, B. Liu, S. Zhang, L. Wang, Z. Wu, J. Zhang, B. Cheng, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 197 (2024) 183, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.02.012.
6. [6]
  G. Chen, Z. Zheng, W. Zhong, G. Wang, X. Wu, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024)2406021, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202406021.
7. [7]
  Z. Jiang, Z. Li, Q. He, S. Han, Y. Liu, H. Zhu, X. Yuan, Mater. Rep. Energy 4 (2024) 100267, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matre.2024.100267.
8. [8]
  P. Chen, B. Lei, X.a. Dong, H. Wang, J. Sheng, W. Cui, J. Li, Y. Sun, Z. Wang, F. Dong, ACS Nano 14 (2020) 15841, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c07083.
9. [9]
  H.M. El Sharkawy, A.M. Shawky, R. Elshypany, H. Selim, Sci. Rep. 13 (2023) 8845, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35265-7.
10. [10]
  R. Zhu, L. Kang, L. Li, X. Pan, H. Wang, Y. Su, G. Li, H. Cheng, R. Li, X.Y. Liu, et al., Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2303003, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202303003.
11. [11]
  S. Li, G. Dong, R. Hailili, L. Yang, Y. Li, F. Wang, Y. Zeng, C. Wang, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 190 (2016) 26, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.03.004.
12. [12]
  M. Ma, Z. Huang, L. Li, W. Zhang, R. Guo, R. Zhang, W. Fa, C. Han, Y. Cao, S. Yu, et al., Appl. Catal. B Environ. 330 (2023) 122626, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.apcatb.2023.122626.
13. [13]
  J. Wang, G. Pan, N. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Zhu, Y. Li, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100168, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100168.
14. [14]
  X. Peng, J. Wu, Z. Zhao, X. Wang, H. Dai, L. Xu, G. Xu, Y. Jian, F. Hu, Chem. Eng. J. 427 (2022) 130803, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.130803.
15. [15]
  K. Li, C. Liu, J. Li, G. Wang, K. Wang, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2403009, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202403009.
16. [16]
  L. Shi, L. Yang, W. Zhou, Y. Liu, L. Yin, X. Hai, H. Song, J. Ye, Small 14 (2018) 1703142, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201703142.
17. [17]
  Z. Zhu, H. Pan, M. Murugananthan, J. Gong, Y. Zhang, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 232 (2018) 19, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.03.035.
18. [18]
  Z. Teng, W. Cai, S. Liu, C. Wang, Q. Zhang, S. Chenliang, T. Ohno, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 271 (2020) 118917, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.118917.
19. [19]
  Y. Li, Y. Guo, G. Fan, D. Luan, X. Gu, X.W. Lou, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63 (2024) e202317572, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202317572.
20. [20]
  Z. Yu, D. Zhang, C. Ai, J. Zhang, Q. Xiang, Chin. J. Catal. 67 (2024) 71, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60159-2.
21. [21]
  H. Zhu, Q. Xue, G. Zhu, Y. Liu, X. Dou, X. Yuan, J. Mater. Chem. A 9 (2021) 6872, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA10742E.
22. [22]
  Y. Shiraishi, S. Kanazawa, Y. Kofuji, H. Sakamoto, S. Ichikawa, S. Tanaka, T. Hirai, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53 (2014) 13454, https://doi.org/10.1002/ anie.201407938.
23. [23]
  Q. Wu, C. Wang, Y. Li, X. Zhang, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100107.
24. [24]
  W. Zhong, A. Meng, Y. Su, H. Yu, P. Han, J. Yu, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (2025) e202425038, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202425038.
25. [25]
  W. Zhong, D. Zheng, Y. Ou, A. Meng, Y. Su, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2406005, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202406005.
26. [26]
  S. Jian, Q. Xiao, J. Huang, J. Ye, L. Zhang, L. Xu, Q. Xie, Langmuir 41 (2025) 23761, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c02996.
27. [27]
  H. Shi, J. Li, H. Wang, J. Hou, K. Li, X. Guo, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 322 (2023) 122139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122139.
28. [28]
  K. Mori, T. Murakami, H. Yamashita, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 3 (2020) 10209, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.0c02180.
29. [29]
  L. Wang, J. Zhang, Y. Zhang, H. Yu, Y. Qu, J. Yu, Small 18 (2022) 2104561, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202104561.
30. [30]
  Z. Teng, Q. Zhang, H. Yang, K. Kato, W. Yang, Y.-R. Lu, S. Liu, C. Wang, A. Yamakata, C. Su, et al., Nat. Catal. 4 (2021) 374, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-021-00605-1.
31. [31]
  X. Zhu, L. Pei, R. Zhu, Y. Jiao, R. Tang, W. Feng, Sci. Rep. 8 (2018) 2387, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30050-3.
32. [32]
  M. Sayed, H. Li, C. Bie, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100117.
33. [33]
  L. Zhang, J. Zhang, J. Yu, H. García, Nat. Rev. Chem 9 (2025) 328, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00698-3.
34. [34]
  Y. Yang, X. Zhou, M. Gu, B. Cheng, Z. Wu, J. Zhang, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100064, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100064.
35. [35]
  Y. Wang, H. Shi, Z. Chen, F. Chen, P. Wang, X. Wang, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 41 (2025) 100081, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100081.
36. [36]
  Y. Wu, C. Cheng, K. Qi, B. Cheng, J. Zhang, J. Yu, L. Zhang, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2406027, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202406027.
37. [37]
  Y. Xia, K. Zhang, H. Yang, L. Shi, Q. Yi, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2407012, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202407012.
38. [38]
  C. Yang, Y. Xiang, W. Wang, B. Cheng, K. Yang, J. Yu, S. Cao, Appl. Catal. B Environ. Energy 365 (2025) 124856, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.apcatb.2024.124856.
39. [39]
  Y. Yang, B. Cheng, J. Yu, L. Wang, W. Ho, Nano Res. 16 (2023) 4506, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-021-3733-0.
40. [40]
  X. Yin, H. Shi, Y. Wang, X. Wang, P. Wang, H. Yu, Acta Phys. Chim. Sin. 40 (2024) 2312007, https://doi.org/10.3866/PKU.WHXB202312007.
41. [41]
  W. Yu, Chin. J. Catal. 73 (2025) 8, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(25)60706-1.
42. [42]
  X. Zhang, D. Gao, B. Zhu, B. Cheng, J. Yu, H. Yu, Nat. Commun. 15 (2024) 3212, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47624-7.
43. [43]
  X. Zhang, H. Su, P. Cui, Y. Cao, Z. Teng, Q. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Feng, R. Feng, J. Hou, et al., Nat. Commun. 14 (2023) 7115, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023- 42887-y.
44. [44]
  S.C. Perry, D. Pangotra, L. Vieira, L.-I. Csepei, V. Sieber, L. Wang, C. Ponce de León, F.C. Walsh, Nat. Rev. Chem 3 (2019) 442, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-019-0110-6.
45. [45]
  B. Qiao, A. Wang, X. Yang, L.F. Allard, Z. Jiang, Y. Cui, J. Liu, J. Li, T. Zhang, Nat. Chem. 3 (2011) 634, https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1095.
46. [46]
  J. Qiu, D. Dai, J. Yao, Coord. Chem. Rev. 501 (2024) 215597, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215597.
47. [47]
  S.K. Sahoo, L. Acharya, L. Biswal, P. Priyadarshini, K. Parida, Inorg. Chem. Front. 11 (2024) 4914, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4QI00950A.
48. [48]
  L. Sun, P. Li, Z. Shen, Y. Pang, X. Ma, D. Qu, L. An, Z. Sun, Adv. Energy Sustain. Res. 4 (2023) 2300090, https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202300090.
49. [49]
  C. Zhang, D. Qin, Y. Zhou, F. Qin, H. Wang, W. Wang, Y. Yang, G. Zeng, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 303 (2022) 120904, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120904.
50. [50]
  J. Zhou, T. Shan, F. Zhang, B. Boury, L. Huang, Y. Yang, G. Liao, H. Xiao, L. Chen, Adv. Fiber Mater. 6 (2024) 387, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42765-023-00354-9.
51. [51]
  C.-H. Bao, L. Li, X.-F. Wang, S.-S. Xia, X. Wang, C.-C. Jin, Z. Chen, Nano Lett. 25 (2025) 4115, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c06680.
52. [52]
  J. Bisquert, C. Gonzales, A. Guerrero, J. Phys. Chem. C 127 (2023) 21338, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c04672.
53. [53]
  Z. Chen, D. Yao, C. Chu, S. Mao, Chem. Eng. J. 451 (2023) 138489, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138489.
54. [54]
  C. Chu, Q. Zhu, Z. Pan, S. Gupta, D. Huang, Y. Du, S. Weon, Y. Wu, C. Muhich, E. Stavitski, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 17 (2020) 6376, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1913403117.
55. [55]
  J. Dai, L. Yan, W. Yang, R. Li, Y. Dong, Y. Shen, Appl. Catal. B Environ. Energy 362 (2025) 124715, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124715.
56. [56]
  R. Du, K. Xiao, B. Li, X. Han, C. Zhang, X. Wang, Y. Zuo, P. Guardia, J. Li, J. Chen, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 441 (2022) 135999, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.135999.
57. [57]
  W. Fang, L. Wang, Catalysts 13 (2023) 1325, https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13101325.
58. [58]
  B. Feng, Y. Liu, K. Wan, S. Zu, Y. Pei, X. Zhang, M. Qiao, H. Li, B. Zong, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63 (2024) e202401884, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202401884.
59. [59]
  F. Fina, S.K. Callear, G.M. Carins, J.T.S. Irvine, Chem. Mater. 27 (2015) 2612, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b00411.
60. [60]
  R.-T. Gao, X. Guo, S. Liu, X. Zhang, X. Liu, Y. Su, L. Wang, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 304 (2022) 120883, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120883.
1. [1]
  Yao Xie , Shuangjun Li , Chao Chen , Siyu Fan , Ying Tao , Qitao Zhang . Ionic polarization engineering of polymeric carbon nitride toward efficient H₂O₂ photosynthesis. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2026, 42(5): 100183-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100183
2. [2]
  Xiaofeng Zhu , Bingbing Xiao , Jiaxin Su , Shuai Wang , Qingran Zhang , Jun Wang . Transition Metal Oxides/Chalcogenides for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction into Hydrogen Peroxides. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(12): 2407005-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202407005
3. [3]
  Zhaoyu Wen , Na Han , Yanguang Li . Recent Progress towards the Production of H₂O₂ by Electrochemical Two-Electron Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(2): 2304001-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304001
4. [4]
  Ke Li , Chuang Liu , Jingping Li , Guohong Wang , Kai Wang . Architecting Inorganic/Organic S-Scheme Heterojunction of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ Coupling with g-C₃N₄ for Photocatalytic H₂O₂ Production from Pure Water. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(11): 2403009-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202403009
5. [5]
  Jie Li , Huida Qian , Deyang Pan , Wenjing Wang , Daliang Zhu , Zhongxue Fang . Efficient Synthesis of Anethaldehyde Induced by Visible Light. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 343-350. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310076
6. [6]
  Zehui JIA , Bin WEN , Shuting ZHANG , Zhengliang ZHAO , Hongfei HAN , Chuntao WANG , Caimei FAN . Mechanism of carbon quantum dots-modified BiOCl/diatomite composites for ciprofloxacin degradation under visible light irradiation. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(2): 317-330. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250199
7. [7]
  Liu Lin , Zemin Sun , Huatian Chen , Lian Zhao , Mingyue Sun , Yitao Yang , Zhensheng Liao , Xinyu Wu , Xinxin Li , Cheng Tang . Recent Advances in Electrocatalytic Two-Electron Water Oxidation for Green H₂O₂ Production. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2305019-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305019
8. [8]
  Zhuoya WANG , Le HE , Zhiquan LIN , Yingxi WANG , Ling LI . Multifunctional nanozyme Prussian blue modified copper peroxide: Synthesis and photothermal enhanced catalytic therapy of self-provided hydrogen peroxide. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(12): 2445-2454. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240194
9. [9]
  Yu Dai , Xueting Sun , Haoyu Wu , Naizhu Li , Guoe Cheng , Xiaojin Zhang , Fan Xia . Determination of the Michaelis Constant for Gold Nanozyme-Catalyzed Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(5): 351-356. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202407052
10. [10]
  Yuanqing Wang , Yusong Pan , Hongwu Zhu , Yanlei Xiang , Rong Han , Run Huang , Chao Du , Chengling Pan . Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Bi₂WO₆ for Organic Pollutants Degradation under the Synergism between Advanced Oxidative Processes and Visible Light Irradiation. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2304050-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304050
11. [11]
  Chunmei GUO , Weihan YIN , Jingyi SHI , Jianhang ZHAO , Ying CHEN , Quli FAN . Facile construction and peroxidase-like activity of single-atom platinum nanozyme. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(9): 1633-1639. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240162
12. [12]
  Bo YANG , Gongxuan LÜ , Jiantai MA . Nickel phosphide modified phosphorus doped gallium oxide for visible light photocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(4): 736-750. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230346
13. [13]
  Jiaxi Xu , Yuan Ma . Influence of Hyperconjugation on the Stability and Stable Conformation of Ethane, Hydrazine, and Hydrogen Peroxide. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(11): 374-377. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202402049
14. [14]
  Jingping Li , Suding Yan , Jiaxi Wu , Qiang Cheng , Kai Wang . Improving hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis over inorganic/organic S-scheme photocatalyst with LiFePO₄. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(9): 100104-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100104
15. [15]
  Jichao XU , Ming HU , Xichang CHEN , Chunhui WANG , Leichen WANG , Lingyi ZHOU , Xing HE , Xiamin CHENG , Su JING . Construction and hydrogen peroxide-activated chemodynamic activity of ferrocene?benzoselenadiazole conjugate. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(8): 1495-1504. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250144
16. [16]
  Kangjuan Cheng , Chunxiao Liu , Youpeng Wang , Qiu Jiang , Tingting Zheng , Xu Li , Chuan Xia . Design of noble metal catalysts and reactors for the electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(10): 100112-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100112
17. [17]
  Zhen Yao , Bing Lin , Youping Tian , Tao Li , Wenhui Zhang , Xiongwei Liu , Wude Yang . Visible-Light-Mediated One-Pot Synthesis of Secondary Amines and Mechanistic Exploration. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 201-208. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311033
18. [18]
  Fan Fan , Hao Xiu , Yuting Wang , Yongpeng Cui , Yajun Wang . Construction of NH₂-MIL-125/Na-doped g-C₃N₄ composite S-scheme heterojunction and its performance in photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2026, 42(2): 100143-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100143
19. [19]
  Xueting Feng , Ziang Shang , Rong Qin , Yunhu Han . Advances in Single-Atom Catalysts for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2305005-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305005
20. [20]
  Shiqian WEI , Xinyu TIAN , Hong LIU , Maoxia CHEN , Fan TANG , Qiang FAN , Weifeng FAN , Yu HU . Oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction catalytic performances of different active sites on nitrogen-doped graphene loaded with iron single atoms. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(9): 1776-1788. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250102

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(13)
HTML views(0)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Rare earth praseodymium single atoms on g-C3N4 tubes for enhanced in-plane charge transfer towards H2O2 production in pure water

Metrics

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Rare earth praseodymium single atoms on g-C₃N₄ tubes for enhanced in-plane charge transfer towards H₂O₂ production in pure water