Highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 production over a p−n Mn0.2Cd0.8S/NiCo2O4 heterojunction modified with Ni2P

In this work, the Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 composite modified with Ni 2 P as a co-catalyst was fabricated via a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared ternary Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 /Ni 2 P composite displayed excellent H 2 production performance. The ternary composite loaded with 5 wt% NiCo 2 O 4 and 2 wt% Ni 2 P obtained the optimal H 2 production performance of 24.47 mmol g −1 h −1 and a maximum AQE of 23.75%. The enhanced H 2 production activity was assigned firstly to efficient spatial charge separation through the p−n Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 heterojunction and secondly to sufficient surface active sites provided by Ni 2 P co-catalysts. This research provides a new approach to design effective ternary heterojunction. Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 /Ni 2 P ternary heterojunction was prepared and displayed a superior photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity under visible light illumination ( λ ≥ 420 nm), which was attributed to the synergistic effect of p−n Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 heterojunction and modification with Ni 2 P co-catalyst. • Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S/NiCo 2 O 4 /Ni 2 P was firstly designed and constructed. • Mn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S coupling with NiCo 2 O 4 formed a p–n heterojunction. • Ni 2 P acted as co-catalyst and provided abundant active sites. • The ternary composite exhibited an enhanced H 2 production activity. • H 2 production mechanism of ternary composite was discussed.