Co@ZIF-8/TiO2 heterojunction for green hydrogen generation

A wet-incipient impregnation method was reported to synthesize hierarchical porous bimetallic (Co, Zn)-zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8)/TiO2 (Co@ZIF-8/TiO2) for green hydrogen generation via photocatalytic water splitting. Co@ZIF-8/TiO2 showed higher photocatalytic efficiency than TiO2, with a hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 13 mmol center dot h(-1)center dot g(-1) with a 151-fold increase in the catalytic performance of TiO2. The photocatalytic HGR of Co@ZIF-8/TiO2 was superior to that of the ZIF-8/TiO2 heterostructure. Co@ZIF-8 showed a hierarchical porous structure containing micropores and mesopores regimes, providing a proficient transport channel for charge transfer. This study presents new prospects for using hierarchical porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as support and promoter in photocatalytic applications of semiconductor such as TiO2.

Automated summary

A wet-incipient impregnation method was used to synthesize hierarchical porous bimetallic (Co, Zn)-zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8)/TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic water splitting. Co@ZIF-8/TiO2 exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic efficiency than TiO2, with a hydrogen generation rate of 13 mmol·h(-1)·g(-1) and a 151-fold increase in catalytic performance. The hierarchical porous structure of Co@ZIF-8 facilitated charge transfer and provided efficient transport channels. This study demonstrates the potential of hierarchical porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as support and promoter in photocatalytic applications of TiO2.