Synergy between Cu doping and catalytic platform in 2D Ni-MOFs/Cu-Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S for efficient water-to-hydrogen conversion

Doping strategy has been widely studied and applied to design visible light driven photocatalysts, which can introduce defect level and modulate the band structure of photocatalysts to improve the photocatalytic activity. In addition, it is of great significance to introduce a catalytic platform in the photocatalytic H₂ evolution (PHE) system, which can also greatly improve the photogenerated carriers transport capacity. As is known to all, 2D materials have been proven to be crucial platform for PHE reactions. In view of this, we have successfully prepared the 2D Ni-MOFs/Cu-doped Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S-x (abbreviated as NMCZ-x) heterojunction with the preferential orientation of crystals, which endows the catalyst with extremely excellent PHE activity and chemical stability. DFT calculations indicated that Cu atoms served as the center of electron capture after substituting Zn atoms, and Cu doping will introduce defect level. The NMCZ-10 complex achieves the best PHE activity and superior structural stability. This work highlights the importance of the synergistic effect between element doping and catalytic platform for the preparation of advanced photocatalysts.