Application of a new UIO-66/Bi2S3 photoanode in photoelectrochemical cathodic protection for 304 stainless steel

•A report demonstrating that MOFs can be used for the photoelectrochemical cathodic protection (PECP) of 304 stainless steel.•UIO-66/Bi2S3 photoanode was successfully prepared by a simple solvothermal method.•UIO-66/Bi2S3 photoanode can negatively shift the potential of 304 SS to − 0.85 V. UIO-66/Bi2S3 photoanode was prepared by a simple solvothermal method. The use of UIO-66 nanocrystalline endows the photoanode with more active sites for redox reaction and good charge carrier migration capability, while Bi2S3 nanorods were used as sensitizer and deposited on the surfaces of UIO-66 using a hydrothermal method. The results showed that UIO-66 can provide protection for 304 stainless steel (SS), and UIO-66/Bi2S3 photoanode can negatively shift the potential of 304 SS to − 0.85 V, which can meet the requirements of industrial potential for steel cathodic protection.