Preparation of Ni2P on twinned Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanocrystals for high-efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

Developing efficient non-precious metal semiconductor photocatalysts is highly desirable for photocatalytically splitting water. In this work, the composite of the nanocrystal twinned Zn0.5Cd0.5S (ZCS) solid solution decorated with highly dispersed Ni2P nanoparticles was successfully formed by in situ growth method, and it exhibited remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of visible light. A high rate of hydrogen production of 30473 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) was achieved, and the apparent quantum yield (AQY) was as high as 83.5% at 420 nm. Moreover, the sample could maintain outstanding photocatalytic hydrogenation activity after 4-cycle continuous catalytic process. The unique nano-twinned structure of ZCS and synergistic effects between the Ni2P and the twinned ZCS are responsible for the dramatically improved catalytic activities of photocatalysts composite. Graphic abstract Ni2P is highly dispersible on the surface of ZCS with distinctive double lattice structure, and it exhibits remarkable visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production activity