CdS-decorated UiO–66(NH2) nanocomposites fabricated by a facile photodeposition process: an efficient and stable visible-light-driven photocatalyst for selective oxidation of alcohols

CdS nanorods have been successfully decorated on the surface of MOF (metal–organic framework) UiO–66(NH2) via a facile room-temperature photodeposition technique in a controlled manner. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the CdS photodeposition proceeds via the preferential reduction of Cd ions to Cd0 followed by chemical reaction with S8. The photocatalytic performances of the obtained CdS–UiO–66(NH2) nanocomposites have been evaluated by selective oxidation of various alcohol substrates using molecular oxygen as a benign oxidant. The results show that such CdS–UiO–66(NH2) nanocomposites exhibit considerable photocatalytic activity and stability, which may be due to the large specific surface area and the charge injection from CdS into UiO–66(NH2) leads to efficient and longer charge separation by reducing the recombination of electron–hole pairs. This work represents the first example of using MOFs not only as supports but also as electron providers to trigger the reaction for coupling MOFs with metal sulfides, thus fabricating novel MOF–CdS nanocomposite systems and improving their photocatalytic activity. It is hoped that our findings could offer useful information and open a new window for the design of novel MOF–semiconductor nanocomposites as efficient visible light driven photocatalysts.