Cu3P and Ni2P co‐modified g‐C3N4 nanosheet with excellent photocatalytic H2 evolution activities

Abstract Copper‐nickel phosphides/ graphite‐like phase carbon nitride (Cu3P‐Ni2P/g‐C3N4) composites were obtained through a facile one‐pot in situ solvothermal approach. The coexistence of Cu3P and Ni2P plays an important role in enhancing the catalytic activity of g‐C3N4. The 7 wt% Cu3P‐Ni2P/g‐C3N4 bimetallic phosphide photocatalyst demonstrates the best photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution rate of 6529.8 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 80.7‐fold higher than that of g‐C3N4. The apparent quantum yield (AQE) was determined to be 18.5% at 400 nm over the 7% Cu3P‐Ni2P/g‐C3N4. This in situ growth strategy produced intimate contact interfaces, leading to a significantly promoted separation of charge carriers, and hence strengthened the photocatalytic H2 production. Moreover, the coexistence of Cu3P and Ni2P reduced the overpotential of H2 during the evolution process, further benefiting H2 production. Finally, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism was proposed and verified by fluorescence and electrochemical analysis. This work provides a low‐cost strategy to synthesize nonprecious bimetallic phosphides/carbon nitride photocatalyst with outstanding H2 production activity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry