Ni2P NPs loaded on methylthio-functionalized UiO-66 for boosting visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 production

The UiO-66 family shows promising photocatalytic prospects in water splitting for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation due to its suitable band gap and adequate active sites. In this work, novel Ni2P/UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) composites were prepared by a simple solvothermal method. These as-synthesized samples were fully characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, and XPS methods. The effectiveness of visible light driven photocatalytic water-splitting to produce hydrogen was investigated in the presence of sacrificial agents. The results showed that the optimal hydrogen yield of 5 wt% Ni2P/UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) is 3724.22 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), reaching almost 187 times that of pristine UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) (19.93 [mu mol g(-1) h(-1)). Meanwhile, long term cycling stability tests also showed that Ni2P/UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) composites present an excellent photocatalytic H-2 production stability. Photoelectrochemical performance analysis revealed that the high catalytic activity of the composite materials could be associated with the synergistic effect of UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) and Ni2P. Light stimulates UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) to generate electrons and holes, and Ni2P as a cocatalyst could effectively transmit electrons and boost photogenerated charge separation. This work provides a reference for exploring UiO-66 family catalysts with good catalytic activity.

Automated summary

The Ni2P/UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) composites show promising photocatalytic prospects in water splitting for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation. The composite materials exhibit excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production stability and high catalytic activity, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect between UiO-66-(SCH3)(2) and Ni2P.