Multiphase phosphide cocatalyst for boosting efficient photocatalytic H2 production and enhancing the stability

Abstract Constructing appropriate cocatalysts to modify semiconductors is significant for improving photocatalytic H2 production and stability. Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) with low-cost and high efficiency have been considered as one of the most promising non-noble-metal cocatalysts. Herein, a novel multiphase phosphide nanosheet, Fe2P/Ni3P cocatalyst, was target designed and in-situ incorporated with Cu2O nanocubes via a phosphorization method for photocatalytic H2 evolution under visible light irradiation. The optimal Cu2O/Fe2P/Ni3P sample provided 10-folds higher photocatalytic activity of H2 evolution rate (108.68 μmol g−1 h−1) than that of single Cu2O (18.6 μmol g−1 h−1), which could be ascribed to fast charge transfer from the Cu2O to multiphase phosphide Fe2P/Ni3P cocatalyst and efficient separation of the light-induced charge carriers. Moreover, the Fe2P/Ni3P cocatalyst also improved the photo-corrosion of Cu2O caused by the disproportionation reaction, leading the Cu2O/Fe2P/Ni3P hybrid possessed robust stability. Additionally, this work guarantees useful insights in employing novel TMPs-based cocatalysts to construct visible-light-responsive photocatalysts, which manifests promising applications in the dwindling supply of energy.