Thiol‐Functionalized Metal‐Organic Frameworks Bonded to Cubic CdS: A New Synthesis of a Heterostructure with High Activity for Splitting Water into H2 under Visible‐Light Irradiation

Abstract A large amount of CdS‐loaded composite UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 −CdS (104 wt %) was obtained by using a thiol‐functionalized UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 through a well‐designed, two‐step, solid‐solution doping method. The thiol groups on the Metal‐Organic Framework couple with the cubic CdS nanoparticles to uniformly distribute over the UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 . A series of UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 −CdS‐x (0.4<x<3.5) with heterostructure were obtained and characterized via XPS, HRTEM, FTIR, XRD, BET and zeta potential measurements. The bonding/bridging anion −S − between the UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 and the cubic CdS particles played a determinant role in the efficient charge transport, and acted as an analogous homojunction to significantly improve the photoactive properties. Pt/UiO‐66‐(SH) 2 −CdS‐2.5 showed a remarkable H 2 evolution activity (37729 μmol g −1 h −1 ) from water (λ>400 nm), a high quantum efficiency, 25.8 %, at 420 nm and a perfect stability, which retained photocatalytic activity even after the catalyst had been soaked in boiling water for 24 h.