Metal-organic framework derived hierarchical ZnO nanosheets/CdS composites for high photocatalytic activity under solar radiation

•A novel ZnO nanosheets (NSs) was successfully fabricated by a two-step process involving a successive hydrothermal transformation and calcination.•The obtained ZnO NSs was further hybridized with CdS to form a hierarchical CdS/ZnO NSs heterostructure.•The 18 wt% hierarchical CdS/ZnO NSs exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation activity of Rhodamine B (Rh B) and hydrogen evolution rate of 1835 μmol g−1 h−1 under solar irradiation.