Significant enhancement of photocatalytic H2 production simultaneous with dye degradation over Ni2P modified In2O3 nanocomposites

The photocatalytic H2 production simultaneous with organic pollutant degradation has been received wide attention in resolving the problems of energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this study, for the first time, the Ni2P (NIP) nanoparticles are successfully loaded on the surface of In2O3 (INO) nanocubes, and the physical-chemical features of as-formed NIP/INO samples are comprehensively characterized by various technologies. Moreover, the photoreactivities of as-prepared NIP/INO nanocomposites are carefully investigated through the photocatalytic H2 evolution simultaneous with dye (Rhodamine B, RhB) degradation under simulated sunlight irradiation. It was found that the as-fabricated NIP/INO nanocomposites present the significantly enhanced H2 production and RhB degradation rates than that of pure INO nanocubes. Consequently, the optimum photocatalytic performance of as-synthesized photocatalyst is loaded by 7 wt% NIP (7-NIP/INO), whose the H2 evolution and RhB degradation rates are reached at 0.138 μmol h−1 and 16.12%, respectively, which are 10.6-folds and 1.6-folds higher than that of individual INO, even its photoactivity is superior than the 1 wt% Pt decorated INO. The greatly improved photocatalytic performance is due to the NIP as co-catalyst can not only promote the charge carries separation and transfer efficiency, but also provide the abundant reaction active sites. Our work highlights a simple strategy for the preparation of non-noble metal nanocomposites towards the renewable solar-driven photocatalysis applications by combining with earth-abundant Ni-based co-catalyst.