Highly efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution using the Ni2P-Zn0.5Cd0.5S photocatalyst under visible light irradiation

The development of a highly-efficient co-catalyst using earth-abundant elements is important to improve photocatalytic H-2 evolution. Herein, we prepared Ni2P-Zn0.5Cd0.5S (NPZCS) porous composites suitable for photocatalytic H-2 evolution under visible light irradiation. The in-situ synthesis and loading of Ni2P nanoparticles onto the porous structure of ZCS was achieved in one-step by a hydrothermal method without the addition of any surfactants or templates. It was revealed that porous ZCS exhibited advanced photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the optimized NPZCS showed remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity for H-2 evolution under visible light irradiation. An optimal H-2 evolution rate of 912.57 mu mol.h(-1) was observed over NPZCS loaded with 0.125% Ni2P, with a calculated apparent quantum efficiency of 37.5% at 420 nm. Loading of the Ni2P co-catalyst provided active reaction sites, boosted the efficiency of photoinduced electron-hole pair separation and extended the lifetime of photoinduced charge, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic H-2 evolution efficiency under visible light irradiation. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.