Nanoarchitecting a Dual Z-Scheme Zr-MOF/Ti-MOF/g-C3N4 Heterojunction for Boosting Gomberg-Buchmann-Hey Reactions under Visible Light Conditions

Combining more than two metal-organic frame-works (MOFs) with different structures is an intelligent strategy for the architecture of hybrid MOFs. Herein, well-organized UiO-66(Zr)-on-MIL-125(Ti)-NH2 growth with g-C3N4 nanosheets was developed for the Gomberg-Buchmann-Hey reaction under visible light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm). First, UiO-66(Zr) micropores as host MOFs were fabricated by a solvothermal method. Subsequently, MIL-125(Ti)-NH2 crystals and g-C3N4 nanosheets were grown inside UiO-66(Zr) to obtain a new type of the dual Z-scheme Zr-MOF/Ti-MOF/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst. Under visible light irradiation, this dual Z-scheme heterojunction acts as a highly efficient photocatalyst for forming C-C bonds via diazonium salts, which can compete with the best photocatalyst systems. The findings indicated that the presence of Zr and Ti metals in MOF-on-MOF and g-C3N4 nanosheets could significantly increase the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and then enhance the photocatalytic performance. The present study not only provides new insights into the architecture of MOFs on other MOFs but also develops Z-scheme heterojunction materials for coupling reactions and other organic reactions under visible light irradiation.

Automated summary

Combining different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a smart strategy for constructing hybrid MOFs. In this study, UiO-66(Zr)-on-MIL-125(Ti)-NH2 with g-C3N4 nanosheets was developed as an efficient photocatalyst for the Gomberg-Buchmann-Hey reaction under visible light irradiation. The presence of Zr and Ti metals in the MOF-on-MOF and g-C3N4 nanosheets enhances the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, leading to improved photocatalytic performance.