Hollow ZnCdS and NiCoP Nanostructures for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Abstract

To promote photocatalytic reactions and sustain structural stabilities, nanostructured photocatalysts, particularly in hollow and/or framelike forms, have attracted great attention. The photocatalysts with hollow or framelike structures possess advantageous features for photocatalytic reactions with an enlarged accessible surface area, promoted light-response capability, and shortened charge-transfer distance. Here, two fresh hollow-structured nanomaterials, cubiclike ZnCdS (H-ZCS) and NiCoP (H-NCP) frameworks, were designed and synthesized for the first time based on Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) with an open framework structure, tunable compositions, and uniform metal active sites. They were coupled as advanced functional H-NCP/H-ZCS architectures with double-hollow nanostructures and close contact interfaces for an improved visible-light-driven H2 evolution. Interestingly, the two hollow-structured frameworks have the same start in preparation, that is, H-NCP and H-ZCS are two homologous hollow nanomaterials, which is undoubtedly beneficial for the design and construction of more advanced functional architectures based on the PBA-induction strategy. In addition, the newly developed cubiclike H-ZCS frameworks exhibit an enlarged surface area and narrower band gap in comparison with the reported ZCS nanoparticles. The resultant double-hollow H-NCP/H-ZCS architectures exhibit an enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution rate, being up to about 73 μmol mg–1 h–1.

Noble metal-free bimetallic phosphide-decorated Zn0.5Cd0.5S with efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution

“…3d, Ni 2p is located at 853.15 eV, assigned to Ni + in NiCoP. [52][53][54] Meanwhile, the peaks located at 856.45 and 874.7 eV is attributed to Ni 2p 1/2 and Ni 2p 3/2 , respectively, while the two peaks at 860.1 eV and 880.25 eV are assigned to nickel satellite peaks. [55][56][57] The existence of Ni 2+ is mainly ascribed to the surface partial oxidation before sample testing.…”

Metal–organic framework-based S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts

“…Given that the S-scheme and type-II heterojunctions have completely different carrier migration pathways, ISIXPS characterization has been extensively adopted for differentiating these two types of heterojunctions. 65 For example, Xu et al reported an SnO 2 /Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 (SC4) S-scheme heterojunction via the electrostatic self-assembly of SnO 2 nanofibers and leadfree Cs 3 Bi 2 Br 9 quantum dots (QDs). 66 In situ XPS under light and dark conditions was performed to determine the charge transfer mechanism (Fig.…”

Co–P bond effect on an MOF-derived Co9S8hollow polyhedron supported Ni2P co-catalyst for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

“…Compared with Co 9 S 8 and Ni 2 P, CSNP-2 shows a stronger photocurrent density, which means that CSNP-2 has a relatively low carrier recombination rate, indicating that the prepared CSNP-2 heterojunction material has a more efficient carrier separation and migration rate. 68 The electrochemical impedance spectra of the three catalysts are shown in Fig. 6b.…”