A facile strategy for fabricating C@Cu2O/CuO composite for efficient photochemical hydrogen production with high external quantum efficiency

Hydrogen production from photocatalytic water splitting by non-noble-metal photocatalysts is considered to be the most promising solution to the world energy crisis issues. Herein, a chrysanthemum-like crystalline C@Cu2O/CuO composite with remarkable photochemical water reduction activity has been successfully fabricated via conditioned calcinations of the Cu(II) based MOF. Under visible light irradiation, Cu2O/CuO/C-350 gives a remarkable H-2 evolution rate of 26.7 mmol g(-1) h(-1 )with high external quantum efficiency of 52.4% at 425 nm. The unique morphology, significantly improved charge carrier separation and synergistic effects of the composite system should be responsible for the excellent photocatalytic activity. To get further evidence about the origin of the improved photoactivity of the Cu2O/CuO/C-350, a series of characterization has been carried out. These findings propose a new unexplored avenue for the fabrication of highly active and low cost photocatalyst for practical H-2 generation via photo-chemical water reduction.