In Situ Decoration of ZnxCd1-xS with FeP for Efficient Photocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen under Irradiation with Visible Light

FeP as a noble-metal-free catalyst has been successfully decorated onto the ZnxCd1-xS photocatalyst surface through an insitu phosphating process. In particular, the 2% FeP/Zn0.5Cd0.5S-P sample showed the best hydrogen generation activity of 24.45 mmolh(-1)g(-1) which is over 130 times higher than that of pure Zn0.5Cd0.5S and nearly 1.3 times higher than that of the 1% Pt-loaded Zn0.5Cd0.5S-P sample. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) of the 2% FeP/Zn0.5Cd0.5S-P was estimated to be over 10% at wavelengths up to 470 nm. The fluorescence spectra and electrochemical measurement results suggest that the decorated FeP not only reduces the overpotential for H-2 evolution but also promotes the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers through formation of a heterojunction with Zn0.5Cd0.5S, which eventually leads to the superior activity of the FeP/Zn0.5Cd0.5S-P photocatalyst for visible-light-driven hydrogen generation.