Enhanced photocatalytic performance of a Ti-based metal-organic framework for hydrogen production: Hybridization with ZnCr-LDH nanosheets

Muhammad Sohail; Hyunuk Kim; Tae Woo Kim

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44008-6

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of a Ti-based metal-organic framework for hydrogen production: Hybridization with ZnCr-LDH nanosheets

Sci Rep. 2019 May 20;9(1):7584. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44008-6.

Authors

Muhammad Sohail^{1

2}, Hyunuk Kim¹, Tae Woo Kim³

Affiliations

¹ Energy Materials Laboratory, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 152 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34129, Republic of Korea.
² Advanced Energy Technology, University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
³ Energy Materials Laboratory, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 152 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34129, Republic of Korea. twkim2015@kier.re.kr.

Abstract

Novel hybrid composites of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) and ZnCr-layered double hydroxide nanosheets (ZnCr-LDH NSs) are developed for use as visible-light-active photocatalysts for hydrogen production based on water photolysis. The hybrid composites are obtained by growing NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) in the presence of exfoliated ZnCr-LDH NSs using a solvothermal reaction. Hybridization of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) with exfoliated ZnCr-LDH NSs leads to significant effects on the morphology and optical properties of NH₂-MIL-125(Ti). To find the optimum photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production by the hybrid composite photocatalysts, the content of ZnCr-LDH in this work is controlled. Compared to that of pristine NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) and ZnCr-LDH, the hybrid composites exhibit an improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible-light irradiation. In addition, the hybrid composite photocatalyst shows excellent photo-chemical stability. The improved photocatalytic activity is believed to benefit from the synergy of strong electronic coupling between NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) and ZnCr-LDH NSs, expanded light absorption and band alignment to enhance the lifetime of photo-induced electrons and holes.