Hierarchical-metal-organic framework-templated Cu0.5Zn0.5In2S4-rGO-g-C3N4: flexible synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity

MOF-templated sulfides exhibit abundant active sites and excellent photo/electrocatalytic activity, while the types of sulfides derived from the single-ligand-MOF are limited due to the poor structure coordination between the required metals and a given single ligand. Herein, uniform-element-distributed hierarchical-MOFs (HMOFs) have been prepared using dual ligands, and were adopted for the fabrication of uniform quaternary hollow Cu0.5Zn0.5In2S4 nanocrystals. The uniform insertion of g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-rGO into the skeleton of the hollow Cu0.5Zn0.5In2S4 improved the photocatalytic hydrogen activity by 3.3 and 5.6 times in comparison with that of the optimal hollow Cu0.5Zn0.5In2S4, due to the improved separation and transport efficiency of charge carriers. Notably, even in pure water, the hollow Cu0.5Zn0.5In2S4 and its heterostructures exhibited considerable H-2 and H2O2 production activity. This work provides insight into the design and flexible synthesis of various MOF-templated nanocrystals for energy conversion and storage.