Highly Active Fe_xCo_1-xP cocatalysts modified CdS for photocatalytic hydrogen production

In this paper, we report a ternary Fe_xCo_1−xP co-catalyst, which can greatly improve the photocatalytic performance of CdS photocatalyst for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. The high efficiency of ternary FexCo1-xP loaded CdS is mainly due to the high electrochemical activity and efficient charge transfer between Fe_xCo_1−xP cocatalyst and CdS. Experimental results have shown that the substitution of Fe ions for some Co ions in CoP can change the electrochemical properties of Fe_xCo_1−xP. The electrocatalytic performance of Fe_xCo_1−xP and the photocatalytic activity of Fe_xCo_1−xP/CdS are both dependent on the molar concentration x of Fe. When x = 0.4 the hydrogen generation rate (18.27 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and the quantum efficiency (50.6% at 420 nm) for 0.5 wt% Fe_0.4Co_0.6P/CdS photocatalyst is 5.85 times higher than that of pure CdS and 1.35 times higher than that of 0.5 wt% CoP/CdS. This new noble-metal-free Fe_xCo_1−xP cocatalyst is beneficial for the solar hydrogen economy.