In Situ Fabrication of Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Based on Cu/Co-ZIF and Cu₂O

We successfully fabricate a well-defined inorganic/organic hybrid Cu₂O@Cu/Co-ZIF (ZIF=zeolitic imidazolate frameworks) by use of growth of dual-metal Cu/Co-ZIF on the obtained Cu₂O hollow spheres. The key point of the strategy is coupling the in situ self-sacrificing template. Cu₂O and the coordination of metal ions (Cu⁺ and Co²⁺) with 2-methylimidazole. This new hybrid was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy mapping, in situ FT-IR spectroscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, N₂ sorption measurements, and electron spin resonance. It was evidenced that Cu/Co-ZIF nanocrystals have been assembled to continuous shells surrounding the Cu₂O cores as well as in the voids between layers and inner pores. Cu₂O@Cu/Co-ZIF exhibits visible light responsiveness and holds potential as narrow band gap semiconductor and visible photocatalyst.