N-type boron phosphide as a highly stable, metal-free, visible-light-active photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

We report that a covalent compound, boron phosphide (BP), can function as a highly stable and metal-free photocatalyst to produce hydrogen from water in the presence of sacrificial agents under visible light irradiation, even at extreme conditions such as strong acid and alkali. The BP photocatalyst is an n-type semiconductor and possesses highly chemical stability, which is resistant to corrosion by hot concentrated mineral acids (concentrated HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, and aqua regia) and aqueous alkali solution, offering new opportunities in the field of artificial photosynthesis.