MoP4 Nanoparticles as a Novel and Efficient Cocatalyst for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, MoP4 nanoparticles were in situ loaded onto CdS nanorods (CdS NRs) via vapor‐solid phase synthesis and the composite of MoP4/CdS proved to be active for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible‐light irradiation, in which MoP4 nanoparticles can work as a novel and efficient cocatalyst. MoP4/CdS can achieve a much higher hydrogen evolution rate of 494.5 μmol h−1 than that of the pristine CdS NRs (22.6 times), and even higher than of the noble metal Pt (2.0 %) loaded on CdS NRs, indicating that MoP4 nanoparticles can replace noble metals as a potential cocatalyst with ultra‐high catalytic activity. Based on the structural and photoelectrical characterization results, the catalytic mechanism of MoP4/CdS was proposed. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of MoP4/CdS is attributed to the promoted charge separation, low hydrogen evolution over‐potential, a long average lifetime for photogenerated carriers and enhanced abilities to inhibit electron‐hole pair recombination. In the field, this work provides guidance for the design and preparation of novel and efficient cocatalyst of phosphide.