Boosting solar-light photocatalytic activity of Ni2P-decorated ZnCr2O4 nanofibers for H2 evolution and tetracycline elimination

Abstract

Photocatalysis is a promising route to convert solar light into chemical energy for H2 evolution and pollutants degradation. Hence, Ni2P decorated ZnCr2O4 (Ni2P/ZnCr2O4) nanofibers were prepared for boosting solar-light induced water splitting and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation. For comparison to ZnCr2O4 nanofibers, Ni2P/ZnCr2O4 composites exhibited the better photocatalytic activities for water splitting and TCH removal. Owing to the co-catalytic effect of Ni2P for the efficient photon capture, the charge carriers were rapidly separated and migrated at the interface between Ni2P and oxygen-defected ZnCr2O4. H2 evolution rate of optimal C–Ni2P/ZnCr2O4 with a nominal Ni2P content of 9.0 wt% was 575.89 μmol g−1 h−1, and its apparent quantum yield at 420 nm was 15.25 %, while its H2 evolution decreased from 2815.13 to 2602.51 μmol g−1 after fifth cycle. In addition, the removal efficiency of C–Ni2P/ZnCr2O4 was 93.68 % within 90 min, and declined to 88.76 % after five cycles for solar-light driven degradation of 50 mg L−1 TCH solution. The deactivation of C–Ni2P/ZnCr2O4 was due to the photo-corrosion for the change in valence states of compositions.