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

Abstract

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 Cu_0.5Zn_0.5In₂S₄ nanocrystals. The uniform insertion of g-C₃N₄ and g-C₃N₄-rGO into the skeleton of the hollow Cu_0.5Zn_0.5In₂S₄ improved the photocatalytic hydrogen activity by 3.3 and 5.6 times in comparison with that of the optimal hollow Cu_0.5Zn_0.5In₂S₄, due to the improved separation and transport efficiency of charge carriers. Notably, even in pure water, the hollow Cu_0.5Zn_0.5In₂S₄ and its heterostructures exhibited considerable H₂ and H₂O₂ production activity. This work provides insight into the design and flexible synthesis of various MOF-templated nanocrystals for energy conversion and storage.