750 nm visible light-driven overall water splitting to H2 and O2 over Boron-doped Zn3As2 photocatalyst

Visible and NIR light count about 95% of solar irradiation on the earth, which has not well utilized in photo-catalytic overall water splitting (OWS) since the available catalysts under visible-NIR irradiation are either low-effective or unstable. This obstacle may be overcome by the development of a new semiconductor catalyst with well absorption in the visible region and excellent charge transfer properties and photocatalytic activities for OWS. Here, we report a new catalyst B-doped Zn3As2 (B-Zn3As2) catalyst with well light response up to 750 nm, and achieves a record apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 4.09% at 750 nm for photocatalytic OWS without noble metal and sacrificial reagent addition. 14 times higher HER performance than bare Zn3As2, excellent light absorption in the visible region, and the excellent separation of photogenerated charges were obtained over B-Zn3As2. B-doping on Zn3As2 leads to easier H adsorption and desorption and thereafter results in promoted surface dynamics for OWS.