Journal ArticleA crystalline and 3D periodically ordered mesoporous quaternary semiconductor for photocatalytic hydrogen generationWeller, Tobias; Deilmann, Leonie; Timm, Jana; Dörr, Tobias S.; Beaucage, Peter A.; Cherevan, Alexey S.; Wiesner, Ulrich B.; Eder, Dominik; Marschall, RolandWe have prepared the first crystalline and 3D periodically ordered mesoporous quaternary semiconductor photocatalyst in an evaporation-induced self-assembly assisted soft-templating process. Using lab synthesized triblock-terpolymer poly(isoprene- b -styrene- b -ethylene oxide) (ISO) a highly ordered 3D interconnected alternating gyroid morphology was achieved exhibiting near and long-range order, as evidenced by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and electron microscopy (TEM/SEM). Moreover, we reveal the formation process on the phase-pure construction of the material's pore-walls with its high crystallinity, which proceeds along a highly stable W 5+ compound, by both in situ and ex situ analyses, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The resulting photocatalyst CsTaWO 6 with its optimum balance between surface area and ordered mesoporosity ultimately shows superior hydrogen evolution rates over its non-ordered reference in photocatalytic hydrogen production. This work will help to advance new self-assembly preparation pathways towards multi-element multifunctional compounds for different applications, including improved battery and sensor electrode materials.2018-01-0110059893Nanoscale1073225 to 32342040-3364https://doi.org/10.1039/c7nr09251b1707836National Science Foundation