Significant enhancement of photocatalytic H2 production simultaneous with dye degradation over Ni2P modified In2O3 nanocomposites

The photocatalytic H 2 production simultaneous with organic pollutant degradation has been received wide attention in resolving the problems of energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this study, for the first time, the Ni 2 P (NIP) nanoparticles are successfully loaded on the surface of In 2 O 3 (INO) nanocubes, and the physical-chemical features of as-formed NIP/INO samples are comprehensively characterized by various technologies. Moreover, the photoreactivities of as-prepared NIP/INO nanocomposites are carefully investigated through the photocatalytic H 2 evolution simultaneous with dye (Rhodamine B, RhB) degradation under simulated sunlight irradiation. It was found that the as-fabricated NIP/INO nanocomposites present the significantly enhanced H 2 production and RhB degradation rates than that of pure INO nanocubes. Consequently, the optimum photocatalytic performance of as-synthesized photocatalyst is loaded by 7 wt% NIP (7-NIP/INO), whose the H 2 evolution and RhB degradation rates are reached at 0.138 μmol h −1 and 16.12%, respectively, which are 10.6-folds and 1.6-folds higher than that of individual INO, even its photoactivity is superior than the 1 wt% Pt decorated INO. The greatly improved photocatalytic performance is due to the NIP as co-catalyst can not only promote the charge carries separation and transfer efficiency, but also provide the abundant reaction active sites. Our work highlights a simple strategy for the preparation of non-noble metal nanocomposites towards the renewable solar-driven photocatalysis applications by combining with earth-abundant Ni-based co-catalyst.