Electrostatic self-assembly of 2D-2D CoP/ZnIn2S4nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Constructing efficient and cost-effective photocatalysts are highly desirable for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, we prepare a unique 2D-2D architecture photocatalyst composed of CoP and ZnIn2S4(ZIS) nanosheets through electrostatic self-assembly method. The constructed 2D-2D CoP/ZIS exhibit a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic performance with hydrogen production rate of 8.775 mmol g(-1) h(-1), and this value is much higher than ZIS and most of other ZIS-based nanohybrids. Additionally, the nanohybrids possess excellent stability with 96.3% of initial activity remaining after 24 hours of testing. These satisfactory results are attributed to the large/intimate contact interface and the photo/electro-chemical properties of ZIS and CoP, which improves light absorption, facilitates photoelectron transport and suppresses charge recombination. This work not only demonstrates ZIS nanosheet can serve as a versatile and effective platform supporting non-noble metal nanosheets to boost their photocatalytic performance, but also offers a general and simple electrostatic self-assembly method to design 2D-2D-based heterostructures for hydrogen conversion from water splitting.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared a unique photocatalyst composed of CoP and ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) through electrostatic self-assembly method, exhibiting significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance and excellent stability. These results are attributed to the large/intimate contact interface and the photo/electro-chemical properties of ZIS and CoP, improving light absorption, facilitating photoelectron transport and suppressing charge recombination.