Tactfully Assembled CuMOF/CdS S-Scheme Heterojunction for High-Performance Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution under Visible Light

Abstract

Constructing an S-scheme heterojunction is considered to be an effective strategy to improve the photocatalytic activity of a one-component photocatalyst. In this work, the CuMOF/CdS composite photocatalyst was synthesized by the electrostatic self-assembly strategy. The 20% CuMOF/CdS composite photocatalyst exhibits a high hydrogen evolution performance (40.17 μmol/h) under visible light, and its hydrogen production rate is 3.34 times that of pure CdS (12.02 μmol/h). Through a series of analysis of the catalyst structure, chemical composition, and photoelectrochemical properties, it is concluded that the high-efficiency hydrogen evolution is mainly due to the combined effect of the high specific surface area and the S-scheme heterostructure. The formation of the S-scheme heterojunction between the contact interface of CdS and CuMOF hinders the recombination of electrons and holes and increases the effective charge separation and transfer rate. This work not only provides an effective method for improving the hydrogen evolution activity of CdS but also broadens the application of CuMOF.