Novel noble-metal-free Co2P/CdIn2S4 heterojunction photocatalysts for elevated photocatalytic H2 production: Light absorption, charge separation and active site

[Display omitted] •A novel noble-metal-free Co2P/CdIn2S4 heterojunction was constructed via hydrothermal method.•The noteworthy augmentation of photocatalytic performance for MPCIS composites was put down to the effective carrier separation, elevated light absorption and increased active sites.•The H2-evolution rate for the optimum CPCIS (471.87 μmol h−1 g−1) was around 3.6 times than cIS-Pt (130.51 μmol h−1 g−1).•A feasible mechanism of intensive photocatalytic activity was discussed. Constructing heterojunctions is an effective and controllable approach that can boost the activity of photocatalysts. Inspiringly, this study explored a simple method that can be used to construct novel noble-metal-free Co2P/CdIn2S4 (CPCIS) heterojunction photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The heterojunction was formed by loading CdIn2S4 (CIS) nanoparticles on the surface of Co2P (CP). The structure, morphology, and optical property of the as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of tests. The DRS results showed that, the light absorption range of CPCIS was extended to the full visible light range and its light absorption intensity obviously was enhanced at 500–800 nm. The PL and photoelectrochemical tests manifested that the formed heterojunction promoted the separation of charges. The LSV results indicated that CP reduced the H2 evolution overpotential of the composites. Besides, CP could serve as active sites of H2 evolution in heterojunction composites. Interestingly, the H2-evolution rate for the optimum CPCIS (471.87 μmol h−1 g−1) was around 3.6 times than CIS-Pt. The elevated activity of CPCIS may mainly attribute to the following aspects: its enhanced light absorption, elevated charge separation and increased active site. More importantly, the photocatalytic activity of heterojunction composites didn’t almost decrease after three cycles. This article delivers an idea that can be applied to form heterojunctions between CP and other sulfides for photocatalytic H2 production, easily extending to other transition metal phosphides.