Size-controlled synthesis of CdS nanoparticles confined on covalent triazine-based frameworks for durable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light

CdS nanoparticle-decorated covalent triazine-based frameworks (CdS NPs/CTF-1) were controllably synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal method. Due to the Lewis basic nature of well-defined nitrogen sites in triazine units of CTF-1, highly dispersed and size-controlled CdS NPs were obtained and stabilized on the surface of CTF-1 layers. The as-prepared CdS NPs/CTF-1 assembly showed higher photocatalytic activity in a hydrogen evolution reaction under visible light irradiation as compared with pure CdS and CTF-1 and their physical mixture. The superior photocatalytic performance observed over CdS NPs/CTF-1 was ascribed to the highly dispersed CdS NPs with strong interaction to CTF-1 layers. The strong NP-on-layer interactions between CdS and CTF-1 in the CdS NPs/CTF-1 assembly can not only facilitate the photogenerated charge separation rates, but can also shape CdS with a nanosized structure and high stability. This study develops a new strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance and conquer the photocorrosion of CdS, and also provides some guidance for us in the development of other CTF-incorporated nanocomposite photocatalysts.