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Photocatalytic water splitting is an ideal means of producing hydrogen in a sustainable manner, and developing highly efficient photocatalysts is a vital aspect of realizing this process. The photocatalyst Y2Ti2O5S2 (YTOS) is capable of absorbing at wavelengths up to 650 nm and exhibits outstanding thermal and chemical durability compared with other oxysulfides. However, the photocatalytic performance of YTOS synthesized using the conventional solid‐state reaction (SSR) process is limited owing to the large particle sizes and structural defects associated with this synthetic method. Herein, we report the synthesis of YTOS particles by a flux‐assisted technique. The enhanced mass transfer efficiency in the flux significantly reduced the preparation time compared with the SSR method. In addition, the resulting YTOS showed improved photocatalytic H2 and O2 evolution activity when loaded with Rh and Co3O4 co‐catalysts, respectively. These improvements are attributed to the reduced particle size and enhanced crystallinity of the material as well as the slower decay of photogenerated carriers on a nanosecond to sub‐microsecond time range. Further optimization of this flux‐assisted method together with suitable surface modification is expected to produce high‐quality YTOS crystals with superior photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of efficient, non-precious metal electrocatalysts is still the hot topic for water oxidation. However, the reported transition metal-based electrocatalysts usually exhibit far lower activity, compared with precious metals. In this work, we report the excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of Mo x C-FeNi@ NC (NC, nitrogen-doped carbon) by a simple pyrolytic method. To reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2, Mo x C-FeNi@NC only needs a low overpotential of 306 mV. Surprisingly, the Mo x C-FeNi@NC even showed lower overpotential than those of noble metal oxides, e.g. RuO 2 (~320 mV), IrO 2 /C (360 mV). The excellent OER activity is mainly ascribed to the unique FeNi electron configuration, efficient electron transfer and higher surface area. Compared with FeCo and CoNi, FeNi alloy possesses half-filling *π3d electron configuration, leading to suitable adsorption for OH−; and Mo x C has effectively improved electrical conductance of Mo x C-FeNi@NC, thus greatly improving the OER reaction kinetics. This work provides an earth-abundant, efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation. Image 1 • Mo x C-alloy@NC shows a lower overpotential than RuO 2 and IrO 2 /C. • The half-filling *π3d orbit of FeNi favors for appropriate adsorption for OH−. • The improved electrical conductance by Mo x C improves OER kinetics. • This work provides an efficient, earth-abundant electrocatalyst for water oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]