Electrostatic self‐assembly of 2D‐2D CoP/ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Constructing efficient and cost-effective photocatalysts are highly desirable for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, we prepare a unique 2D-2D architecture photocatalyst composed of CoP and ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) nanosheets through electrostatic self-assembly method. The constructed 2D-2D CoP/ZIS exhibit a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic performance with hydrogen production rate of 8.775 mmol g −1 h −1 , and this value is much higher than ZIS and most of other ZISbased nanohybrids. Additionally, the nanohybrids possess excellent stability with 96.3% of initial activity remaining after 24 hours of testing. These satisfactory results are attributed to the large/intimate contact interface and the photo/electro-chemical properties of ZIS and CoP, which improves light absorption, facilitates photoelectron transport and suppresses charge recombination. This work not only demonstrates ZIS nanosheet can serve as a versatile and effective platform supporting non-noble metal nanosheets to boost their photocatalytic performance, but also offers a general and simple electrostatic self-assembly method to design 2D-2D-based heterostructures for hydrogen conversion from water splitting.

ZnIn2S4‐Based Photocatalysts for Energy and Environmental Applications

“…As a result, the novel 2D-2D Ni 2 P/ZnIn 2 S 4 binary heterojunction photocata lyst showed an outstanding activity and stability for the photo catalytic H 2 evolution with a rate of 2066 µmol h −1 g −1 under visible light irradiation, which far exceeded the activity of the 0D/2D Ni 2 P/ZnIn 2 S 4 binary heterojunction. The demonstration of the rational design of a 2D/2D ZnIn 2 S 4 -metal phosphides binary heterojunction has also been reported by Zhao et al [228] They successfully constructed a 2D/2D ZnIn 2 S 4 -CoP binary heterojunction by electrostatic selfassembly method. The as constructed ZnIn 2 S 4 -CoP showed outstanding photocatalytic activity with H 2 evolution rate of 8775 µmol h −1 g −1 .…”

Promotion effect of metal phosphides towards electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting

“…The construction of a 0D/2D CoP/black phosphorus (CoP/BP) heterostructure was also an effective strategy for increasing the intimate interface contact area between CoP and BP, which effectively reduced the carrier transfer distance 106 . Xiang et al 107 fabricated 2D‐2D CoP/ZIS nanohybrids via an electrostatic self‐assembly method. The unique 2D structure of CoP and ZIS made the large intimate contact interface between them, effectively reducing the diffusion distance of carriers.…”

Construction of NiPx/MoS2/NiS/CdS composite to promote photocatalytic H2 production from glucose solution

“…Photocatalytic water splitting is an effective and attractive technology to convert solar energy into clean hydrogen energy. Since the pioneering work reported on TiO 2 electrode in 1972, 1 researchers have studied a series of catalysts ranging from metal oxides to other materials, such as metal sulfides, 2,3 non‐metal semiconductors (e.g., C 3 N 4 and graphene), 4,5 and complex catalysts 6–9 . As one of the important metal sulfides, CdS have attracted widely attention due to its relatively simple chemical structure, good light absorption and suitable band positions for photocatalytic redox reaction 10,11 .…”