Highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 production over a p−n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4 heterojunction modified with Ni2P

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 48; no. 11; pp. 4230 - 4241
• Main Authors: Feng, Hao-Qiang, Li, Ya, Xi, Yue, Xiong, Yan, Huang, Qun-Zeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05-02-2023
• Subjects: Co-catalyst; Mn0.2Cd0.8S; Photocatalytic H2 production; p−n heterojunction; Photocatalytic H2 production; Mn0.2Cd0.8S; Co-catalyst; p−n heterojunction
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.276

In this work, the Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4 composite modified with Ni2P as a co-catalyst was fabricated via a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared ternary Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4/Ni2P composite displayed excellent H2 production performance. The ternary composite loaded with 5 wt% NiCo2O4 and 2 wt% Ni2P obtained the optimal H2 production performance of 24.47 mmol g−1 h−1 and a maximum AQE of 23.75%. The enhanced H2 production activity was assigned firstly to efficient spatial charge separation through the p−n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4 heterojunction and secondly to sufficient surface active sites provided by Ni2P co-catalysts. This research provides a new approach to design effective ternary heterojunction.
Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4/Ni2P ternary heterojunction was prepared and displayed a superior photocatalytic H2 evolution activity under visible light illumination (λ ≥ 420 nm), which was attributed to the synergistic effect of p−n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4 heterojunction and modification with Ni2P co-catalyst. [Display omitted]
•Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4/Ni2P was firstly designed and constructed.•Mn0.2Cd0.8S coupling with NiCo2O4 formed a p–n heterojunction.•Ni2P acted as co-catalyst and provided abundant active sites.•The ternary composite exhibited an enhanced H2 production activity.•H2 production mechanism of ternary composite was discussed.