MOF-derived NiCo bimetallic cocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic overall water splitting

The development of stable and efficient non-noble metal cocatalysts has arisen as a promising yet challenging endeavor in the context of photocatalytic overall water splitting.In this study,NiCo alloy cocatalysts were synthesized with nickel/cobalt metal organic framework （NiCo-MOF） as source of nickel and cobalt.Systematic characterization results demonstrate the successful deposition of alloy cocatalysts onto the surface of SrTiO3.The prepared SrTiO3 loaded NiCo-alloy can generate hydrogen and oxygen in a stoichiometric ratio for photocatalytic overall water splitting,achieving an apparent quantum yield of 11.9%at 350±10 nm.Theoretical calculations indicate that the introduction of cobalt has a beneficial regulatory effect on the hydrogen evolution sites of Ni,reducing the free energy of H adsorption.The synergistic catalytic effect of bimetallic catalysts contributes to enhancing photocatalytic activity and stability.This study offers constructive insights for the development of high-efficiency and cost-effective cocatalyst systems.