Dispersed Nickel Phosphide Cocatalyst on Nb₂O₅ Ultrathin Nanosheets to Boost Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

Abstract Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction holds great promise to solve energy shortage and global warming. Nb₂O₅ has demonstrated superiority in CO₂ activation and selectivity regulation, but suffers from poor light absorption ability and fast carrier recombination. To tackle these problems, we designed and synthesized ultrathin Nb₂O₅ nanosheets which were decorated with tiny NiP nanoparticles as cocatalyst. In this way, light absorption range broadened, carrier migration distance reduced, charge transfer resistance decreased, and surface reaction kinetics promoted. Consequently, the as‐prepared NiP/Nb₂O₅ showed notably enhanced activity (148.7 μmol ⋅ g⁻¹) and selectivity (82.1 %) towards CO, as well as remarkable stability. This work paves the way for cheap and earth abundant alternatives as cocatalysts and deepens the understanding of their functions in CO₂ photoreduction.