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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]

The Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite prepared by a simple solid-phase reduction exhibits highly selective electrocatalytic activity for reduction of CO 2 to CO with Faraday efficiency (86.7%) at −0.48 V vs. RHE, as well as large current densities (55 mA cm−2) under low overpotentials (−1.08 V vs. RHE) and good stability in electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2. Meanwhile, it is found that the tunable syngas formation can be obtained by rationally adjusting the applied potential using the Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite as an electrocatalyst. • The Cu-In 2 O 3 /C composite was prepared by a simple solid-phase reduction method. • Cu-In 2 O 3 /C exhibits highly selective catalytic activity for reduction of CO 2 to CO. • The tunable syngas can be obtained on Cu-In 2 O 3 /C by adjusting the applied potential. The Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite was prepared by a simple solid-phase reduction method. The introduction of In 2 O 3 into Cu/C to form the Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite evidently enhances the electrocatalytic activity for the selective reduction of CO 2 to CO. Specifically, the Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite exhibits higher Faraday efficiency (FE = 86.7%) at −0.48 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to CO and larger current densities (55 mA cm−2) under a low overpotential (−1.08 V vs. RHE). These indicate its superior performance over many of the reported Cu-based catalysts [1–4]. It was also found that by rationally adjusting the applied potential, tunable syngas can be formed, which can be used to synthesize formic acid, methyl ether, methanol, synthetic fuels, or other bulk chemicals through appropriate industrial processes. Furthermore, the Cu-In 2 O 3 /C nanocomposite maintains good stability in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2. This work demonstrates a novel strategy to convert CO 2 into desired products with high energy efficiency and large current density under low overpotential by the rational designing of non-precious metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]