Interfacial phosphorization strategy-driven bimetallic CoZn-MOFs for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen precipitation

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts due to their exceptional catalytic performance derived from diverse crystalline phases and superior charge transport properties. To address the inherent limitations of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in terms of structural stability and reaction kinetics, this study employed an innovative phosphorization approach that successfully constructed essential Co-P and Zn-P chemical bonds within the framework. The engineered architecture not only increased the density of active catalytic sites but also created well-defined interfacial heterostructures in the CoZn-MOF matrix. Advanced characterization techniques demonstrated that the induced internal electric field effectively promoted charge carrier migration and substantially improved the material's water molecule activation efficiency. Systematic performance assessments revealed a 28-fold enhancement in hydrogen evolution rates for CoZn-P compared with Zn-P analogues, attributed to optimized charge separation efficiency and synergistic catalytic effects. These findings provide critical design guidelines for constructing high-performance MOF-derived photocatalysts through strategic structural engineering.