A covalent organic framework-cadmium sulfide hybrid as a prototype photocatalyst for visible-light-driven hydrogen production.

CdS nanoparticles were deposited on a highly stable, two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) matrix and the hybrid was tested for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The efficiency of CdS-COF hybrid was investigated by varying the COF content. On the introduction of just 1 wt% of COF, a dramatic tenfold increase in the overall photocatalytic activity of the hybrid was observed. Among the various hybrids synthesized, that with 10 wt% COF, named CdS-COF (90:10), was found to exhibit a steep H2 production amounting to 3678 μmol h(-1) g(-1), which is significantly higher than that of bulk CdS particles (124 μmol h(-1) g(-1)). The presence of a π-conjugated backbone, high surface area, and occurrence of abundant 2D hetero-interface highlight the usage of COF as an effective support for stabilizing the generated photoelectrons, thereby resulting in an efficient and high photocatalytic activity.