In Situ Growth of CoP Nanoparticles Anchored on Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

A novel zero-dimensional/two-dimensional CoP/black phosphorus heterostructure was successfully constructed by in situ growth of CoP nanoparticles on the surface of black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets through a facile solvothermal method. The as-prepared CoP/BP heterostructure exhibited excellent photocatalytic H2 production activity under visible- and near-infrared-light irradiation. The hydrogen evolution rate of the CoP/BP heterostructure was 694 μmol h−1 g−1, which is about two times higher than that of the Pt/BP heterostructure. The in situ growth of CoP nanoparticles in black phosphorus nanosheets gives rise to excellent interfacial contact between the light-harvesting material and the co-catalysts, promotes fast charge transfer, and reduces charge recombination. Because the CoP nanoparticles are anchored on the surface of the BP nanosheets, agglomeration of the CoP nanoparticles is suppressed, and thus, the high surface area and large number of active sites are effectively maintained.