Metal–organic
frameworks (MOFs) have been of extensive use
in several applications such as gas purification, low-temperature
catalytic reactions, and removal of organic compounds from fluids.
However, MOFs structures have not been ever introduced as main catalysts
for the processes of hydrogen generation via water splitting in which
metal oxides are commonly used as photocatalysts. Thus, this research
study introduces the first reveal of MOF as a new photocatalyst for such a route of hydrogen production.
Specifically, two MOF structures that respectively have mono and binary
central metal ions, namely, nickel-benzene di-carboxylic acid (Ni-BDC)
and nickel/copper-benzene tri-carboxylic acid (Ni/Cu-BTC), were synthesized.
The structural, thermal, and texture characteristics of as-prepared
MOFs were determined using the appropriate analytical techniques.
Both structures had been then forwarded to the photocatalytic hydrogen
production application. The Ni-MOF had exhibited a proper hydrogen
productivity of 200 mmol/h with a hydrogen purity of 50%. On the other
hand, the Ni/Cu-MOF showed an entire hydrogen storage, which is likely
due to the presence of two metal cations within the MOF structure.
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