Ultrathin ZIS nanosheets encapsulated in metal–organic-framework-derived CNCo-Fe3O4 as an efficient functional photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic water splitting into value-added energy is a promising strategy to resolve the environmental pollution and energy crisis. Herein, we proposed a facile method to design a p–n heterostructure photocatalyst for highly effective and stable visible light-driven hydrogen production. Starting from a framework of metal–organic framework (MOF) derived carbonaceous material (CNCo-Fe3O4) with a spindle-like structure, we demonstrated ultrathin ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets grown on the surface of the rich porous CNCo-Fe3O4 spindle-like structure (denoted as CNCo-Fe3O4/ZIS). The intimate coupling between CNCo-Fe3O4 and ZnIn2S4 facilitates charge transfer and inhibits the recombination of electron and hole pairs, resulting in fast reaction kinetics at the heterointerface. Furthermore, the conductivity and structural integrity of the catalysts are further enhanced by MOF-derived carbonaceous materials. Both high H2 yield (2.63 mmol g−1 h−1) and long-term stability are achieved for 5% CNCo-Fe3O4/ZIS heterostructure catalysts under visible-light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm), ascribed to the enhanced light absorption capacity, conductivity and charge separation ability. The designed nanoarchitecture may inspire more possibilities for the synthesis of MOF-derived carbonaceous material compositions with semiconductors for wide applications.