Encapsulating Semiconductor Quantum Dots in Supramolecular Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Superior Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion is a sustainable way of producing renewable fuels, yet the efficiency is limited by the poor photo‐induced charge‐carrier separation on electrode surface. Developing active and stable hydrogen evolution photocatalysts is challenging and entails intelligent material structure design and tailoring. Here, a novel water dispersible supramolecular metal organic framework (SMOF) is employed as a general and high‐performance platform to encapsulate CdS quantum dots (QDs) for achieving highly improved solar‐induced H2‐production activity. Particularly, the CdS QDs@SMOF heterostructure exhibits an excellent H2 generation activity of 49.4 µmol h−1 (TOF = 47.0/h), exceeding those of most reported heterogeneous metal organic frameworks‐based photocatalytic systems. Advanced characterizations disclose that the strong electrostatic interaction and light‐induced charge transfer between SMOF and CdS QDs, combined with the high surface area, water dispersible nature, and abundant reactive centers synergistically contribute to this distinguished photocatalytic performance. The work not only demonstrates the water dispersible SMOF can serve as a versatile and effective platform supporting semiconductor to boost the photocatalytic H2‐production performance without co‐catalysts, but also paves avenues to the design and synthesis of SMOF‐based heterostructures for general catalysis applications.

Photocatalytic Antimicrobials: Principles, Design Strategies, and Applications

“…The quantum dots can not only enhance the photoelectric ability and optical absorption capacity of MOFs, but also promote the photogenerated electron transfer, so as to improve their photocatalytic antibacterial performance. 182 Thus, Wang et al encapsulated QDs into metal organic frameworks (ZIF-8) as an effective photocatalytic antibacterial agent (QDs@ZIF-8). The photocatalyst exhibited a good bacteria killing ability for S. aureus and E. coli after light excitation owing to the efficient interfacial electron transfer (Figure 20C).…”

“…The combination of QDs and MOFs is also a strategy to improve the photocatalytic effect of MOFs. The quantum dots can not only enhance the photoelectric ability and optical absorption capacity of MOFs, but also promote the photogenerated electron transfer, so as to improve their photocatalytic antibacterial performance . Thus, Wang et al encapsulated QDs into metal organic frameworks (ZIF-8) as an effective photocatalytic antibacterial agent (QDs@ZIF-8).…”

Self-assembled supramolecular materials for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction

“…The MCSOF combines the structural features of MOF, COF, and SOF in one body and remarkably facilitated visible light-induced electron transfer from the Ru complex to the POM catalyst, which displayed enhanced photocatalytic HER in aqueous solution with a homogeneous manner and in organic media with a heterogeneous manner, respectively. Using the same hexarmed [Ru(bpybp) 3 ] 2+based precursor (27), Zhang, Li and co-workers further reported a binary hybrid 3D QD@SMOF material in 2021, which was constructed via co-assembly of negatively charged CdS-QDs with positively charged SMOF, for photocatalytic HER [107]. The photocatalytic HER of the QD@SMOF assemblies was performed at pH = 11 in water with TEOA.…”