Mesoporous SiO2 confined Pt loaded dye s

Efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution requires overcoming the intrinsic limitations of wide-band-gap semiconductors such as ZnO, particularly poor visible absorption and inefficient interfacial charge transfer. This study aims to enhance photosensitization and catalytic performance through engineering dye–semiconductor interactions within confined architectures. Hybrid photocatalysts for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution were developed by integrating organic dyes (proflavine and hemicyanine LDS-698) with Nano-ZnO confined within ordered mesoporous silica matrices (MCM-41 and SBA-15). The methodology involved introducing Nano-ZnO into the mesoporous frameworks via impregnation followed by hydrolysis-assisted formation, generating highly dispersed ZnO nanostructures within the mesoporous channels, and encapsulating proflavine or LDS-698 dyes. Subsequently, Pt nanoparticles were photodeposited as cocatalysts, and the resulting hybrid materials were systematically characterized. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was evaluated under visible-light irradiation using triethylamine as a sacrificial electron donor. Results indicated successful formation of highly dispersed Nano-ZnO and dye incorporation, with confinement inducing modifications in photophysical properties indicating efficient electronic coupling. The Pt-loaded, dye-sensitized hybrids exhibited significantly enhanced hydrogen evolution rates up to 112 µmol h−1 g−1, highlighting the potential of mesoporous hybrid systems for efficient solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion.