Construction of photocatalytic paper with metal-organic framework derived hollow heterojunction loading onto...

Hollow photocatalytic materials have attracted extensive research due to their large specific surface area, abundant active sites, and short photogenerated electron transfer pathway. Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) possess high specific surface area and ordered pore structures, which facilitate the efficient migration of photogenerated carriers. Excellent hollow photocatalytic materials can be constructed by using MOF as precursor or self-template. In this study, Co-MOF derived hollow Co₃O₄/Fe₂O₃ heterojunction is constructed through metal ion etching and carbonization strategy, and in-situ loading into carbonized paper to prepare paper-based photocatalytic material. The hollow structure enhances the effective specific surface area and photocatalytic active sites, and Co₃O₄/Fe₂O₃Z-scheme heterojunction improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers for enhancing the photocatalytic performance. Carbonized paper, as a carrier, can improve the dispersibility and reusability of the photocatalyst. The composite paper exhibits excellent photocatalytic ability for water splitting to produce hydrogen (62.7 mmol h^-1 g^-1 of hydrogen evolution rate) and outstanding cycling stability (92.2 % after 10 cycles). This study provides a new idea for the design and preparation of photocatalytic paper loaded with MOF-derived hollow heterojunction.