• • PoTA3 achieves an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 8.3% under blue light irradiation, with an initial hydrogen evolution rate of 485 mmol g−1 h−1 and a turnover number (TON) of 27,858, demonstrating superior performance for photocatalytic hydrogen production.
• • Under white light, PoTA1 and PoTA3 exhibit AQY values of 5.5% and 6.8%, respectively, outperforming the benchmark YD2-o-C8 (AQY = 4.07%) under identical conditions, indicating enhanced broad-spectrum light utilization.
• • The dual anchoring groups (4-ethynylbenzoic acid, 3-ethynylbenzoic acid, or 5-ethynylthiophene-2-carboxylic acid) and long-chain alkyloxy substituents suppress charge recombination and reduce aggregation on TiO2 surfaces, improving photocatalytic stability and efficiency.
• • The 5-ethynylthiophene-2-carboxylic acid moiety in PoTA3 induces a redshifted and broadened absorption profile, enabling superior solar spectrum utilization and contributing to the highest hydrogen evolution activity among the series.