Integration of platinum nanoparticles and Pd-porphyrin photosensitiser into a metal–organic framework for effective photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

A significant enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of metal–organic framework (MOF) is achieved by expanding the visible-light response range through the strategic incorporation of functional groups, such as metalloporphyrins. Herein, Pd-metalised tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (PdTCPP) photosensitiser is integrated into the UiO-66-(NH 2 ) 2 framework, creating the hybrid material PdTCPP ⊂ UiO-66-(NH 2 ) 2 using a facile mixed-ligand strategy. Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) are subsequently introduced as a co-catalyst via in situ photoreduction, resulting in the formation of the Pt/PdTCPP ⊂ UiO-66-(NH 2 ) 2 hybrid material, which demonstrates exceptional catalytic performance under visible-light irradiation. Specifically, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate for 1 % Pt/PdTCPP ⊂ UiO-66-(NH 2 ) 2 reaches 1152 μmol g −1 h −1 . The quantum yield (QY) and space–time yield (STY) of 1 % Pt/PdTCPP ⊂ UiO-66-(NH 2 ) 2 at 400 nm radiation are approximately 1.21 % and 0.24 %, respectively. This excellent hydrogen production performance is attributed to the rapid transfer of long-lived electrons generated by the photoexcitation of Pd-porphyrin photosensitiser to Pt NPs, improving the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. These findings demonstrate the combining photosensitisers potential with co-catalysts in MOFs, developing highly efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen production, which offers a promising avenue for the development of sustainable energy materials.