Cuprous oxide core-shell heterostructure facilely encapsulated by cadmium metal organic frameworks for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Light absorption and separation of photo-generated electrons and holes are important to photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of a photocatalyst. Herein, a special metal organic framework (MOFs) was fabricated by encapsulating of 2-methylimidazole and cadmium nitrate on the silica coated cuprous oxide (Cu2O/SiO2/CdIF). The structure, morphology, composition, and valence state of the obtained materials were analyzed. It was demonstrated that the core-shell Cu2O/SiO2/CdIF heterostructure was achieved. Also, the photocatalytic activity and stability of H2 generation over the Cu2O/SiO2/CdIF nanocomposite were investigated. Interestingly, the Cu2O/SiO2/CdIF nanocomposite exhibited high activity which was hardly changed after five recycles. By means of Raman spectra, solid diffuse reflection UV–vis spectra, photoelectric response, and interfacial resistance, it was shown that higher light absorption, efficient charge separation and strong synergistic effect among the components in the heterostructure were responsible to the enhanced performance in the Cu2O/SiO2/CdIF nanocomposite.