Anchoring metal-organic framework nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nitrides for solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

The development of low-cost and noble metal-free photocatalytic materials with precisely controlled morphologies and interfaces is vital to achieving highly efficient solar-to-fuel conversion. We herein report the fabrication of novel metal-organic framework (MOF)/g-C3N4 heterostructured materials with well-defined micro-/nanostructures and intimate interfacial contact. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles are found to be evenly anchored on modified rod-like g-C3N4 materials. The resultant hybrid materials demonstrate the integration of two components and show enhanced light-harvesting property in the visible light region. ZIF-8/g-C3N4 composite materials have been employed as the catalysts for solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting. Under light emitting diode (LED) illumination, ZIF-8/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts exhibit significant hydrogen-evolving performance in comparison to bulk ZIF-8 material. The enhanced hydrogen production efficiency can be ascribed to synergistic improvements in electron-hole separation, charge transportation and redox capability. This synthetic strategy can be extended to the design and controllable synthesis of a variety of MOF-based composite materials for energy and environmental applications.