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RuP2 nanoparticles and CdS nanorods were prepared by temperature-programmed reduction and a solvothermal route, respectively. Their intrinsic properties were characterized with X-ray powder diffractometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. RuP2 as a co-catalyst significantly enhanced the photocatalytic H2 evolution performance of CdS in water spitting under visible light radiation (λ ≥ 450). The H2 evolution amount of the 10 wt% RuP2/CdS reached 164,008 μmol/g after 10 h of radiation, which was 6.51 times that of 0.1 wt% Ru/CdS (25,238 μmol/g) and 2.3 times that of 0.1 wt% Pt/CdS (58,359 μmol/g). The mean H2 evolution rate of 10 wt% RuP2/CdS in 10 h is 17,362 μmol/g/h, which is 8.49 times that of 0.1 wt% Ru/CdS (2044 μmol/g/h) and 5.16 times that of 0.1 wt% Pt/CdS (3364 μmol/g/h). The 10 wt% RuP2/CdS after 34 h reached an apparent quantum yield of 31%. The 102-h longtime tests showed that the 10 wt% RuP2 improved the H2 evolution ability, lifespan and stability of CdS. The activity, photoluminescence and photocurrent experiments indicated the RuP2 cocatalyst in RuP2/CdS under light radiation intensively attracted photo-electrons and transferred them from CdS to RuP2, thus greatly promoting the separation of photo-generated charges and producing more photo-electrons to react with the H+ absorbed on RuP2 nanopartilces, which helped to improve the photocatalytic H2 evolution performance.

A simple and efficient approach to the preparation of hollow or porous metal phosphide nanoparticles was presented. Bulk and supported Ni2P, CoP, FeP, and Cu3P were successfully synthesized by reducing metal pyrophosphate precursors in flowing hydrogen. The structural properties of these samples are investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The Ni2P/SiO2 catalysts were used for the gas phase catalytic hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene. The hydrodesulfurization activity of the catalyst reached 99% when the reaction temperature was 340 °C. In the paper, a possible reaction mechanism was discussed to form Ni2P, CoP, FeP, and Cu3P. The route and mechanism could also be applied to the preparation of other metal phosphides.

Three-dimensional (3D) yttrium iodate (YIO 3 ) hollow microspheres consisting of nanotube arrays are synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal process without any surfactants. In the hollow microspheres approximately 5 μm thick and 15–45 μm in diameter, the nanotubes in the arrays radiate outward from the center to the edges and are approximately 5 μm long and 100–200 nm in diameter. The formation of the 3D hollow microspheres can be easily controlled by changing the experimental conditions. The growth mechanisms of the 3D hollow microspheres are discussed in detail, and their optical properties are investigated.

Magnesium phosphide (Mg3P2) microstructures having microwire shapes with ultrahigh-aspect-ratio and three-dimensional (3D) urchin, flower, and branched shapes (myriapod or leaf) are synthesized using a one-step reaction without any catalysts or templates. The microstructures with different shapes are easily controlled through various temperatures. With increasing reaction temperature, the morphology of Mg3P2 microstructures changes from microwires with ultrahigh-aspect-ratio to branched shapes similar to myriapods or leaves. The growth mechanisms of these microstructures are discussed in detail.

A new method for the preparation of bimetal phosphides was reported. Bulk and SiO2-supported porous NiCoP were obtained from the direct thermal treatment of precursors containing nickel, cobalt salts, and sodium hypophosphite mixed mechanically under flowing nitrogen. Compared with traditional H2-temperature-programmed reduction method, the method developed provided a simple one-step way to produce bimetal phosphides with a relatively low temperature. In the report, a possible preparation mechanism was discussed to form NiCoP. The route and mechanism could also be applied to the preparation of other bimetal phosphides. In comparison with the Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst, the NiCoP/SiO2 showed a higher hydrodesulfurization activity for dibenzothiophene.

Bulk and supported nickel phosphides were prepared by thermal treatment of a mechanical mixing of nickel chloride and sodium hypophosphite in a flowing N2. The samples were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma. The effect of different aspects on the Ni2P formation was primarily investigated. A rational mechanism was proposed for the selective formation of Ni2P. SiO2-supported Ni2P exhibits excellent hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity for dibenzothiophene (DBT).

A series of Se-doped Bi 2 S 3 photocatalysts are prepared using the hydrothermal method. Selenium is doped into Bi 2 S 3 to improve its photocatalytic activity. The obtained products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. The photocatalytic activities of bare and modified Bi 2 S 3 are studied. Se-doped Bi 2 S 3 shows high photocatalytic activity during the degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation ( λ > 400 nm). The effects of different Se contents, synthesis time, temperatures, among others, on photocatalytic activity are discussed. Results show that an appropriate amount of Se dopant can greatly increase photocatalytic activity. Appropriate synthesis times and temperatures are responsible for the obvious increase in photocatalytic activity.