CdS clusters induced defect on NH2−MIL-125(Ti) nanosheets for improving photocatalytic synthesis of N-benzylidene benzylamine

Utilizing interfacial interaction between different components of a heterojunction to induce defect formation may be an interesting approach for improving the catalytic performance. Here, introducing 3 nm CdS clusters (S) on NH 2 −MIL-125(Ti) nanosheets (NMT-NS) to construct the heterojunction catalysts (S x /NMT-NS) can induce the generation of abundant defects and Ti 3+ sites due to the lattice distortion of NMT-NS and the transfer of interfacial charges. These defects and Ti 3+ sites can chemisorb benzyl alcohol (BZO) molecules through a C O⋯Ti coordination while capture and activate O 2 molecules from air. Furthermore, Z-scheme heterojunction between CdS clusters and NMT-NS optimizes the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons-holes, thus accelerating the production of ∙ O 2 - . Therefore, S 1.8 /NMT-NS achieves a highly efficient conversion of benzylamine (BZA) (>99%) and BZO to N-benzylidene benzylamine (N-BZA) in air atmosphere under visible light, with a selectivity of 99%. Finally, a photocatalytic mechanism involving the activation of reactants molecule and the transfer of photogenerated carriers is propounded at molecular level. Constructing CdS clusters/NH 2 −MIL-125(Ti) Z-Scheme heterojunction nanosheets with abundant defects exhibit efficient photocatalytic synthesis of N-benzylidene benzylamine.