Photogenerated charge carriers in photocatalytic materials for solar hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Solar radiation–based green H₂ evolution has emerged enormous interest due to photocatalysts hastening the solar energy conversion into chemical energy and repeating the cycle performance. Recently, CdIn₂S₄ (CIS) n-type semiconductors and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having high-porous structures have emerged as excellent photocatalysts for green and sustainable energy generation due to their specific properties (e.g. durability, high surface area, tunable band gap, etc.). Novel composites based on combining CIS and MOFs enable broad light absorption, better separation, and transport of photogenerated carriers, improving solar energy utilization. In particular, charge migration at the interface between MOFs and CIS is noteworthy that the accumulation of photogenerated electrons on CIS conduction band causes remarkable enhancement of photocatalytic H₂ production. Covering the literature articles of the past 3 years, this mini-review presents efficient photocatalysts via simultaneous cooperation of CIS and MOF engineering as well as promising materials in H₂ production. First, this work illustrates applications of CIS- and MOF-based photocatalysts for solar H₂ evolution fabricating advanced photocatalysts with superior absorbed visible light. Last, future perspectives and challenges on emerging CIS- and MOF-assisted heterojunctions are provided, which create novel designs for materials by coupling CIS and MOF morphologies to create clean energy generation.