Bimetallic zeolite-imidazole framework-based heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

Bimetallic zeolite-imidazole frameworks with controllable flat band position, band gap and hydrogen evolution reaction characteristics were adopted as a photocatalytic hydrogen production catalyst. Furthermore, the g-C3N4-MoS2 2D-2D surface heterostructure was introduced to the ZnM-ZIF to facilitate the separation as well as utilization efficiency of the photo-exited charge carriers in the ZnM-ZIFs. On the other hand, the ZnM-ZIFs not only inhibited the aggregation of the g-C3N4-MoS2 heterostructure, but also improved the separation and transport efficiency of charge carriers in g-C3N4-MoS2. Consequently, the optimal g-C3N4-MoS2-ZnNi-ZIF exhibited an extraordinary photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity 214.4, 37.5, and 3.7 times larger than that of the pristine g-C3N4, g-C3N4-ZnNi-ZIF and g-C3N4-MoS2, respectively, and exhibited a H-2-evolution performance of 77.8 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) under UV-Vis light irradiation coupled with oxidation of H2O into H2O2. This work will furnish a new MOF candidate for photocatalysis and provide insight into better utilization of porous MOF-based heterostructures for hydrogen production from pure water.

Automated summary

Bimetallic zeolite-imidazole frameworks were utilized as a photocatalytic hydrogen production catalyst, while a 2D-2D surface heterostructure of g-C3N4-MoS2 was introduced to facilitate the charge carrier separation efficiency in ZnM-ZIFs. The optimal g-C3N4-MoS2-ZnNi-ZIF exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity compared to other structures, highlighting the potential of porous MOF-based heterostructures for hydrogen production.