Highly active FexCo1-xP cocatalysts modified CdS for photocatalytic hydrogen production

Abstract In this paper, we report a ternary FexCo1−xP co-catalyst, which can greatly improve the photocatalytic performance of CdS photocatalyst for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. The high efficiency of ternary FexCo1-xP loaded CdS is mainly due to the high electrochemical activity and efficient charge transfer between FexCo1-xP cocatalyst and CdS. Experimental results have shown that the substitution of Fe ions for some Co ions in CoP can change the electrochemical properties of FexCo1-xP. The electrocatalytic performance of FexCo1-xP and the photocatalytic activity of FexCo1-xP/CdS are both dependent on the molar concentration x of Fe. When x = 0.4 the hydrogen generation rate (18.27 mmol h−1 g−1) and the quantum efficiency (50.6% at 420 nm) for 0.5 wt% Fe0.4Co0.6P/CdS photocatalyst is 5.85 times higher than that of pure CdS and 1.35 times higher than that of 0.5 wt% CoP/CdS. This new noble-metal-free FexCo1-xP cocatalyst is beneficial for the solar hydrogen economy.