In-situ phosphorylated CoV-LDH with Co2P synergistically photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

In this study, Co2P semiconductors are obtained from in situ phosphorylation of CoV-LDH, functioning as the main active center in photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Co2P semi-conductors are proven to accelerate the rate of hydrogen evolution by enriching the active sites of the catalyst. Additionally, numerous negatively-charged P atoms can trap active protons, thus improving the kinetics of hydrogen evolution. To directionally control the carrier migration, a highly efficient and stable surface-phosphorized CoV-LDH/Co2P cocatalyst is further synthesized by modifying CoV-LDH with different phosphorylation ratios. As a result, the optimized P-CoV-LDH photocatalyst had a hydrogen evolution ac-tivity of 434.5 mu mol, which is 32.57 times that of the single catalyst CoV-LDH, 60.77 times that of P-V-LDH, and 1.4 times that of P-Co-LDH, respectively. This work paves the way to precisely design noble-metal-free cocatalysts through selective phosphorylation. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Co2P semiconductors obtained through in situ phosphorylation of CoV-LDH act as the main active center in photocatalysts, enhancing the rate of hydrogen evolution. The enrichment of active sites and the trapping of active protons by negatively-charged P atoms in Co2P semiconductors contribute to the improved kinetics of hydrogen evolution. A highly efficient and stable surface-phosphorized CoV-LDH/Co2P cocatalyst is synthesized with different phosphorylation ratios to control carrier migration. The optimized P-CoV-LDH photocatalyst exhibits a hydrogen evolution activity of 434.5 mu mol, which is significantly higher than that of the single catalysts CoV-LDH, P-V-LDH, and P-Co-LDH. This work opens up possibilities for the precise design of noble-metal-free cocatalysts through selective phosphorylation.