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In this paper, a novel Pt/CoP/C photo-electro synergistic catalyst was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method combined with phosphorus doping treatment. The addition of Vulcan XC-72R is in favor of effectively preventing agglomeration of active catalytic sites, resulting in more uniform and smaller Pt and CoP nanoparticles. The as-obtained Pt/CoP/C shows excellent photo-electro catalytic performance for the HER with simulated solar light irradiation. The optimal hydrogen production is 5384.18 mmol h−1 g−1, which is obviously higher than that of the commercial catalyst (20 wt% Pt/C: 4608.52 mmol h−1 g−1). The research results show that introducing cobalt phosphide into the Pt catalyst can improve the electrocatalytic activity and stability for the HER; in particular, the existence of Co3O4 in Pt/CoP/C leads to an efficient photo-electro catalysis under irradiation, which significantly improves the catalytic activity of Pt. The results above provide a novel strategy for the rational design of cost-effective Pt-based composites towards a fast HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a one-pot solid phase reaction was used to synthesize PtIn/3D-GNs composites with different alloying degrees. The as-synthesized composites were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that PtIn alloy was formed in the PtIn/3D-GNs composites. However, In(0) content in the composites (denoted as PtIn/3D-GNs (O)) when In2O3 was used as a precursor of In is almost twice as much as that in the composites (denoted as PtIn/3D-GNs (S)) using In(NO3)3 as a precursor of In, which indicates the higher Pt–In alloying degree in PtIn/3D-GNs (O). Electrochemical tests show that PtIn/3D-GNs composites exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity, better stability and enhanced antipoisoning ability toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in comparison with Pt/3D-GNs and the commercial Pt/C. Interestingly, the synergistic effect between the charge separation of In2O3 and the SPR excitation of In(0) under light irradiation contributes to their good electro-photocatalytic performance under simulated sunlight irradiation. Especially, the higher Pt–In alloying degree in PtIn/3D-GNs (O) contributes to its better conductivity, which is responsible for its more efficient electro-photocatalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]