In situ photodeposition of metalloid Ni2P co-catalyst on Mn0.5Cd0.5S for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution with visible light

Developing a suitable and low-cost co-catalyst is highly desired for promoting photocatalytic water splitting of H 2 production. Herein, we adopted a simple in situ photodeposition strategy by coupling Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S with non-noble co-catalyst Ni 2 P to construct Ni 2 P/Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S composites and achieved obviously improved H 2 amount (31.83 mmol/h/g) in visible-light region, which is nearly 2.8 times than that of pure Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S. Such photocatalytic performance is in a relatively superior position among Mn x Cd 1−x S-based photocatalysts . The apparent quantum efficiency of Ni 2 P/Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S-7 composites reaches 32% at 420 nm. Through optical and photoelectrochemical measurements, a possible mechanism was proposed, it was found that the interface between metalloid Ni 2 P and Mn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S contacts closely, which facilitates transfer and separation of charge carriers, thus promotes the reduction of H + to H 2 . This study provides a new design of cut-price, high-efficiency photocatalyst for H 2 evolution.