A Semi-Conductive Copper-Organic Framework with Two Types of Photocatalytic Activity

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2016-04, Vol.55 (16), p.4938-4942
• Main Authors: Wu, Zhi-Lei, Wang, Chang-Hong, Zhao, Bin, Dong, Jie, Lu, Feng, Wang, Wei-Hua, Wang, Wei-Chao, Wu, Guang-Jun, Cui, Jian-Zhong, Cheng, Peng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DFT calculations; hydrogen generation; photo-generated electrons and holes; Photocatalysis; semi-conductive MOFs
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201508325

Based on the newly designed ligand 4′‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐4,2′:6′,4′′‐terpyridine (DCTP), a unique semi‐conductive 3D framework {[CuΙCuΙΙ2(DCTP)2]NO3⋅1.5 DMF}n (1) with a narrow band gap of 2.1 eV, was obtained and structurally characterized. DFT calculations with van de Waals correction employed to explore the electronic structure of 1, clearly revealed its semi‐conductive behavior. Furthermore, we found that 1 exhibits a superior band alignment with water to produce hydrogen and degrade organic pollutants. Without adding any photosensitizers, 1 displays an efficiently photocatalytic hydrogen production in water based on the photo‐generated electrons under UV/Vis light. 1 also exhibits excellent photo‐degradation of methyl blue under visible‐light owing to the strong oxidization of excited holes. It is the first example of MOFs with doubly photocatalytic activities related to photo‐generated electrons and holes, respectively. Narrow band gap: The metal–organic framework (MOF) {[CuΙCuΙΙ2(DCTP)2]NO3⋅1.5 DMF}n has a narrow band gap of 2.1 eV and is a semiconductor. Theoretical and experimental investigations confirmed its performance in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and in organic‐dye degradation. It is the first report for MOFs exhibiting two different photocatalytic activities based on photo‐generated electrons and holes.