Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over protonated g-C3N4 using NiCoP as a cocatalyst.

Bimetallic phosphides as the cocatalysts have been demonstrated promising potential for boosting photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen. Herein, a nickle-cobalt bimetallic phosphide (NiCoP) cocatalyst with flower-like structure built with nanoflakes in different directions is synthesized and self-assembled with protonated g-C 3 N 4 (HCN) nanosheets through electrostatic interaction. The resultant NiCoP/HCN is employed for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. Benefiting from the excellent metallic conductivity and unique flower-like structure of NiCoP that offers abundant active sites, the NiCoP/HCN exhibits highly efficient separation of the photo-generated charges and greatly improved hydrogen evolution activity. The H 2 evolution rate of the optimized NiCoP/HCN can reach 7951 μmol g−1 h−1, much higher than that of HCN nanosheets. The great potential of NiCoP for improving photocatalytic H 2 evolution of g-C 3 N 4 lights a valuable direction for exploring low cost and highly efficient non-noble metal cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic H 2 evolution. Flower-like NiCoP/protonated g-C 3 N 4 (HCN) photocatalyst was constructed and exhibited superior photocatalytic water splitting activity due to excellent metallic conductivity and unique flower-like structure of NiCoP. [Display omitted] • Flower-like NiCoP/protonated g-C 3 N 4 (HCN) photocatalyst was constructed. • NiCoP/HCN exhibits the superior photocatalytic water splitting activity. • Unique flower-like structure of NiCoP provides more active sites for H 2 production. • Excellent metallic conductivity of NiCoP facilitates efficient separation of the photogenerated charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]