2D-2D heterostructured CdS–CoP photocatalysts for efficient H2 evolution under visible light irradiation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-10, Vol.44 (50), p.27412-27420
• Main Authors: Gai, Qixiao, Zheng, Xiaochun, Liu, Wenjun, Dong, Quanli, Wang, Yingying, Gao, Renxi, Ren, Shoutian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D-2D heterojunction; CdS; CoP; Hydrogen evolution
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.08.196

Visible-light photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen evolution has attracted tremendous attention in past decades, but it still suffers from low solar-hydrogen conversion efficiency. In this paper, two-dimensional (2D) CdS was synthesized by the hydrothermal method, and 2D CoP nanosheets were synthesized by successive hydrothermal, oxidation and phosphodation process. Then 2D-2D CdS–CoP photocatalysts were formed by ultrasonically dispersing the mixed solution of CdS and CoP, and their heterostructure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometer and so on. CdS–CoP with 2% CoP loading amounts exhibits a maximum photocatalytic performance of 56.3 mmolg−1h−1 under visible light irradiation, which is 11.3 times as high as bare CdS. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of CdS–CoP should be due to the following two points: (1) high catalytic activity of CoP; (2) highly efficient separation and transfer of electron-hole pairs photogenerated in CdS due to the synthesized 2D-2D heterostructure. [Display omitted] •2D-2D heterostructured CdS–CoP photocatalysts were synthesized.•CdS–2%CoP exhibits a maximum visible photocatalytic performance of 56.3 mmolg−1h−1.•The activity of CdS–CoP is due to CoP cocatalyst and the 2D-2D heterostructure.