CdS incorporation induced gate-opening in UiO-66-NH2 for photocatalysis

Qi Li; Bryan Kit Yue Ng; Zhao Xue Luan; Ping Luen Baron Ho; Daniel Woodside; Xiyu Zhang; Christopher Foo; Pu Zhao; Tai Sing Wu; Yun Liang Soo; Mingjie Li; Xin Ping Wu; Guangchao Li; Shik Chi Edman Tsang

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362

CdS incorporation induced gate-opening in UiO-66-NH₂ for photocatalysis

Qi Li
, Bryan Kit Yue Ng
, Zhao Xue Luan
, Ping Luen Baron Ho
, Daniel Woodside
, Xiyu Zhang
, Christopher Foo
, Pu Zhao
, Tai Sing Wu
, Yun Liang Soo
, Mingjie Li
, Xin Ping Wu
, Guangchao Li
, Shik Chi Edman Tsang

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Integrating semiconductors into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) typically compromises porosity due to pore blockage or coverage. Conversely, we report a CdS/UiO-66-NH₂ composite, achieving a 1.5-fold increase in specific surface area. Through in-situ synthesis, CdS clusters are embedded into the tetrahedral pores of UiO-66-NH₂. Structural analysis utilizing Rietveld-refined synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and density functional theory (DFT) reveals the confined CdS clusters modulate the rotation of organic linkers, synchronously expanding the framework by a guest-induced gate-opening effect. In addition, CdS/UiO-66-NH₂ heterostructure significantly facilitates efficient charge carrier separation. Consequently, the optimized CdS/UiO-66-NH₂ exhibits a more than doubled photocatalytic water splitting rate compared to pristine UiO-66-NH₂. This work offers molecular-level insights into leveraging structural flexibility for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts.

Original language	English
Article number	176362
Journal	Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume	537
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

CdS
Composite
Gate-opening effect
Liner rotation
UiO-66-NH MOF

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Chemistry
General Chemistry
General Chemical Engineering
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

More information

10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362

http://hdl.handle.net/10397/118863

Cite this

@article{26a51826a6064b5e9886a4e0fc713c4d,

title = "CdS incorporation induced gate-opening in UiO-66-NH2 for photocatalysis",

abstract = "Integrating semiconductors into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) typically compromises porosity due to pore blockage or coverage. Conversely, we report a CdS/UiO-66-NH2 composite, achieving a 1.5-fold increase in specific surface area. Through in-situ synthesis, CdS clusters are embedded into the tetrahedral pores of UiO-66-NH2. Structural analysis utilizing Rietveld-refined synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and density functional theory (DFT) reveals the confined CdS clusters modulate the rotation of organic linkers, synchronously expanding the framework by a guest-induced gate-opening effect. In addition, CdS/UiO-66-NH2 heterostructure significantly facilitates efficient charge carrier separation. Consequently, the optimized CdS/UiO-66-NH2 exhibits a more than doubled photocatalytic water splitting rate compared to pristine UiO-66-NH2. This work offers molecular-level insights into leveraging structural flexibility for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts.",

keywords = "CdS, Composite, Gate-opening effect, Liner rotation, UiO-66-NH MOF",

author = "Qi Li and Ng, \{Bryan Kit Yue\} and Luan, \{Zhao Xue\} and Ho, \{Ping Luen Baron\} and Daniel Woodside and Xiyu Zhang and Christopher Foo and Pu Zhao and Wu, \{Tai Sing\} and Soo, \{Yun Liang\} and Mingjie Li and Wu, \{Xin Ping\} and Guangchao Li and Tsang, \{Shik Chi Edman\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Authors",

year = "2026",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362",

language = "English",

volume = "537",

journal = "Chemical Engineering Journal",

issn = "1385-8947",

publisher = "Elsevier BV",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - CdS incorporation induced gate-opening in UiO-66-NH2 for photocatalysis

AU - Li, Qi

AU - Ng, Bryan Kit Yue

AU - Luan, Zhao Xue

AU - Ho, Ping Luen Baron

AU - Woodside, Daniel

AU - Zhang, Xiyu

AU - Foo, Christopher

AU - Zhao, Pu

AU - Wu, Tai Sing

AU - Soo, Yun Liang

AU - Li, Mingjie

AU - Wu, Xin Ping

AU - Li, Guangchao

AU - Tsang, Shik Chi Edman

PY - 2026/6/1

Y1 - 2026/6/1

N2 - Integrating semiconductors into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) typically compromises porosity due to pore blockage or coverage. Conversely, we report a CdS/UiO-66-NH2 composite, achieving a 1.5-fold increase in specific surface area. Through in-situ synthesis, CdS clusters are embedded into the tetrahedral pores of UiO-66-NH2. Structural analysis utilizing Rietveld-refined synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and density functional theory (DFT) reveals the confined CdS clusters modulate the rotation of organic linkers, synchronously expanding the framework by a guest-induced gate-opening effect. In addition, CdS/UiO-66-NH2 heterostructure significantly facilitates efficient charge carrier separation. Consequently, the optimized CdS/UiO-66-NH2 exhibits a more than doubled photocatalytic water splitting rate compared to pristine UiO-66-NH2. This work offers molecular-level insights into leveraging structural flexibility for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts.

AB - Integrating semiconductors into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) typically compromises porosity due to pore blockage or coverage. Conversely, we report a CdS/UiO-66-NH2 composite, achieving a 1.5-fold increase in specific surface area. Through in-situ synthesis, CdS clusters are embedded into the tetrahedral pores of UiO-66-NH2. Structural analysis utilizing Rietveld-refined synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and density functional theory (DFT) reveals the confined CdS clusters modulate the rotation of organic linkers, synchronously expanding the framework by a guest-induced gate-opening effect. In addition, CdS/UiO-66-NH2 heterostructure significantly facilitates efficient charge carrier separation. Consequently, the optimized CdS/UiO-66-NH2 exhibits a more than doubled photocatalytic water splitting rate compared to pristine UiO-66-NH2. This work offers molecular-level insights into leveraging structural flexibility for constructing high-efficiency photocatalysts.

KW - CdS

KW - Composite

KW - Gate-opening effect

KW - Liner rotation

KW - UiO-66-NH MOF

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U2 - 10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362

DO - 10.1016/j.cej.2026.176362

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:105036028695

SN - 1385-8947

VL - 537

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