An Efficient, Visible‐Light‐Driven, Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/ZnxCd1−xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn0.5Cd0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g−1 h−1 and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER. Superior photocatalytic activity: A metal–organic framework (MOF) was used as a template to prepare NiS/ZnxCd1−xS heterojunctions with superior photocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). NiS/Zn0.5Cd0.5S shows an optimal HER rate, a high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation.