In-situ growth 2D Fe2P nanosheets on the surface of 1D Cd0.9Zn0.1S nanorods for remarkably improved photocatalytic H2 evolution

Loading cocatalysts can effectively reduce the hydrogen production overpotential and provide additional catalytic sites. Fe2P, with abundant active sites, low hydrogen evolution overpotential, is regarded as a promising cocatalyst to replace the noble metals. Fe2P nanosheets were grown in situ on the surface of Cd0.9Zn0.1S nanorods to form unique 2D/1D structure, which was designed to enlarge the interface contact between them. The maximum hydrogen evolution rate was as high as 38.48 mmol h−1 g−1, which was even higher than that of noble metal Pt modified Cd0.9Zn0.1S. The results of characterization and theoretical computation demonstrated that the electronic interaction existed between Fe2P and Cd0.9Zn0.1S, and Fe2P as cocatalyst collected electrons to facilitate the transfer and separation of electrons and holes. This work investigated the transfer process of photogenerated carriers and revealed the photocatalytic mechanism through a combination of theoretical calculation and experimental characterization. [Display omitted] •Fe2P was grown in situ on the surface of Cd0.9Zn0.1S to form unique 2D/1D structure.•The interaction of Fe2P and Cd0.9Zn0.1S redistributes the interfacial charge.•The maximum H2 evolution rate of Fe2P/Cd0.9Zn0.1S reached 38.48 mmol h−1 g−1.