In Situ Decoration of Zn x Cd 1−x S with FeP for Efficient Photocatalytic Generation of Hydrogen under Irradiation with Visible Light

Abstract FeP as a noble‐metal‐free catalyst has been successfully decorated onto the Zn x Cd 1−x S photocatalyst surface through an in situ phosphating process. In particular, the 2 % FeP/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S−P sample showed the best hydrogen generation activity of 24.45 mmol h −1 g −1 which is over 130 times higher than that of pure Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S and nearly 1.3 times higher than that of the 1 % Pt‐loaded Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S−P sample. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) of the 2 % FeP/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S−P was estimated to be over 10 % at wavelengths up to 470 nm. The fluorescence spectra and electrochemical measurement results suggest that the decorated FeP not only reduces the overpotential for H 2 evolution but also promotes the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers through formation of a heterojunction with Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S, which eventually leads to the superior activity of the FeP/Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S−P photocatalyst for visible‐light‐driven hydrogen generation.