Flower-structured CoP@MoS2-x S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for enhanced hydrogen evolution and selective biomass oxidation

Promoting interfacial separation and charge transfer within S-scheme heterojunctions is crucial for effectively enhancing photocatalytic H 2 production. Here, we have successfully synthesized flower-shaped CoP@MoS 2 -x S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts through a straightforward thermal annealing and hydrothermal process. These photocatalysts demonstrated exceptional performance in H 2 generation assisted by biorefinery. The optimal CoP@MoS 2 -2 photocatalyst achieved an H 2 evolution rate of 4339.39 μmol g −1  h −1 , which is 8 and 5.5 folds of individual CoP and MoS 2 , respectively. Meanwhile, the system was accompanied by 81.0 % yield of lactic acid, which is higher than those of CoP and MoS 2 . The enhanced photocatalytic performance of CoP@MoS 2 -x heterojunctions stems primarily from their unique S-scheme charge carrier transport mechanism. This S-scheme heterojunction structure not only boosts the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs but also preserves a robust photocatalytic redox capacity. This study provides a new avenue for designing efficient photocatalysts of H 2 generation assisted by biomass oxidation.