Modulation of Z-Scheme Heterojunction Interface between Ultrathin CN Nanosheets and Metal-Organic Framework for Boosting Photocatalysis.

Fabricating heterojunction photocatalysts for H production is promising for the development of clean energy. For boosting the photocatalytic activity, modulating the heterojunction interface can facilitate the electron-hole separation and solar energy utilization, but it is highly challenging in synthesis. In this work, by facilely exfoliating the bulk CN, ultrathin CN nanosheets (N-CN) with large surface area, improved light absorption, and efficient charge transport were synthesized and further applied to the construction of NH-UiO-66/N-CN heterojunctions. The optimized NH-UiO-66/N-CN-2 exhibits high hydrogen evolution rate and cycling stability with Pt as the cocatalyst. Combined with the experimental results, the density functional theory calculation reveals that the high photocatalytic performance is attributed to the promoted photogenerated carrier transfer by the formation of well-contacted and stable Z-scheme heterojunction interface. This contribution renders an insight into the modulation of the heterojunction interface for enhancing the activity of MOF-based photocatalysts.