Amino-Functionalized Titanium Based Metal-Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Photocatalytic hydrogen production using stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), especially the titanium-based MOFs (Ti-MOFs) as photocatalysts is one of the most promising solutions to solve the energy crisis. However, due to the high reactivity and harsh synthetic conditions, only a limited number of Ti-MOFs have been reported so far. Herein, we synthesized a new amino-functionalized Ti-MOFs, named NH2-ZSTU-2 (ZSTU stands for Zhejiang Sci-Tech University), for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. The NH2-ZSTU-2 was synthesized by a facile solvothermal method, composed of 2,4,6-tri(4-carboxyphenylphenyl)-aniline (NH2-BTB) triangular linker and infinite Ti-oxo chains. The structure and photoelectrochemical properties of NH2-ZSTU-2 were fully studied by powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, nitro sorption isotherms, solid-state diffuse reflectance absorption spectra, and Mott–Schottky measurements, etc., which conclude that NH2-ZSTU-2 was favorable for photocatalytic hydrogen production. Benefitting from those structural features, NH2-ZSTU-2 showed steady hydrogen production rate under visible light irradiation with average photocatalytic H2 yields of 431.45 μmol·g−1·h−1 with triethanolamine and Pt as sacrificial agent and cocatalyst, respectively, which is almost 2.5 times higher than that of its counterpart ZSTU-2. The stability and proposed photocatalysis mechanism were also discussed. This work paves the way to design Ti-MOFs for photocatalysis.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of petroleum oil spills in seawater using a metal-organic framework (MOF)

“…Superior to TiO 2 , MIL-125 not only possess Ti-oxo clusters or Ti-oxo chains/sheets, but also have light harvested ligands, endowing them with promising photocatalytic activity. The adjustable structures of MIL-125, in particular, allow them to efficiently utilise solar light beyond the ultraviolet region (which accounts for only 4% of the total) 7 – 9 . The stability properties of MOFs mainly contain four factors, such as chemical stability, photostability, mechanical stability, and thermal stability 10 , 11 .…”

Current trends in the synthesis, characterization and application of metal-organic frameworks

“…This was attributed to the mild synthesis conditions, structural features and low reactivity. 183 In all the reports, the inherent structural characteristics of a large surface area and a well-ordered porous structure have played significant role in their application as photocatalysts.…”

HER catalytic activity and regulation of a transition metal atom-anchored BC3 monolayer: a first-principles study

“…13 Ti-based MOFs (Ti-MOFs) can be used as a favorable candidate catalyst for the photocatalytic HER. 14 It is demonstrated that transition metal doping is effective for the improvement of W 2 C catalyst activity. 15 It is known that the coordination environment modulated by adjusting the oxidation state, which involves introducing oxygen atoms into the metal center, could enhance the activity of TM-doped systems.…”