Photocatalytic hydrogen production enhancement of Z-Scheme CdS quantum dots/Ni2P/Black Ti3+-TiO2 nanotubes with dual-functional Ni2P nanosheets

The Z-Scheme CdS quantum dots/Ni2P/Black Ti3+-TiO2 nanotubes with dual-functional Ni2P nanosheets are fabricated by a continuously electrospinning-annealing/reductionchemical deposition method, there, the TiO2 nanotubes are fabricated via electrospinning, subsequently, the 2D Ni2P lamellas grow on the surface of nanotubes and the Ti3+/Ov ions are introduced by reduction, then CdS QDs are deposited on the surface of Ni2P lamellas. Evaluated by the photocatalytic hydrogen production, the photocatalytic performance of Z-Scheme CdS QDs/Ni2P/B-TiO2(-3303.85 mmol/g h) exhibits an obvious enhancement of about-70 folds than unmodified TiO2. The main reasons for the HER enhancement are ascribed to that the Pt-like behavior 2D Ni2P and Ti3+ ions can accelerate the photo-generated electrons diffusing into water and reduce H-2 activation barrier, the ZScheme heterojunction can accelerate the separating and transferring of photo-generated charge carriers, the Ov ions and hollow nanotubes can increase solar utilization, which can be supported by the electrochemical measurements. (c) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.