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-C(3)N(4)–MoS(2) 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-C(3)N(4)–MoS(2) heterostructure, but also improved the separation and transport efficiency of charge carriers in g-C(3)N(4)–MoS(2). Consequently, the optimal g-C(3)N(4)–MoS(2)–ZnNi-ZIF exhibited an extraordinary photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity 214.4, 37.5, and 3.7 times larger than that of the pristine g-C(3)N(4), g-C(3)N(4)–ZnNi-ZIF and g-C(3)N(4)–MoS(2), respectively, and exhibited a H(2)-evolution performance of 77.8 μmol h(−1) g(−1) under UV-Vis light irradiation coupled with oxidation of H(2)O into H(2)O(2). 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.