the strong interaction existing between Cu 3 P and TiO 2 , providing a charge separation pathway across the catalyst’s interface.
16.5 Conclusion and Prospects
In conclusion, robust and active cocatalyst of TMPs composed with earth-rich and
inexpensive elements are desperately needed for achieving highly efficient, stable,
and low-priced photocatalytic water reduction. Indeed, TMPs as cocatalysts play
multiple roles in photocatalytic process. Firstly, the introduction of TMPs can
improve light absorption of semiconductor; secondly, TMPs can trap the photogenerated electrons and improve the separation efficiency of charges; and thirdly,
TMPs as active site can lower down activation energy of H 2 evolution. Up to now, a
plenty of TMPs, such as Ni 2 P, CoP, Cu 3 P, FeP, and MoP, have been widely
investigated. Among them, the highest hydrogen evolution rate and quantum efficiency reported are 553 μmolÁh
À1
Ámg
À1 at visible light irradiation and 41% at
450 nm for the optimized Ni 2 P/CdS system, respectively. With the compressive
progress in earth-abundant transition metal phosphides nanoparticles available for
photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, an overall review of these TMPs as
cocatalyst in photocatalysis for deep understanding and optimal utilization is
urgently required. In this review, the recent development of TMPs as cocatalysts
in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, including preparation, the role of P
atom, and the photocatalytic application, has been extensively reviewed.
It should be noted that although continuous progress has been made in
constructing TMPs as cocatalyst in photocatalysis, a wide range of scientific and
technical challenges still exists to achieve the commercialization of TMP cocatalysts
in photocatalysis. (1) It is very vital to refine the cocatalysts loading condition and
develop more effective method to uniform and controllable loading cocatalysts on
the surface of photocatalysts for achieving atomically well-bond nanojunction.
(2) Development of highly efficient, selective, and stable cocatalysts for
semiconductor-based photocatalytic water splitting is very desirable. (3) The fundamental research about physicochemical properties, electrochemical performance,
electron transfer, and multiple-electron coupled reaction mechanism of loaded
cocatalysts are very rare, and it will be very necessary to enrich this field.
References
1. Habisreutinger SN, Schmidt-Mende L, Stolarczyk JK (2013) Photocatalytic reduction of CO 2
on TiO 2 and other semiconductors. Angew Chem Int Ed 52(29):7372–7408
2. Fontecave M (2011) Energy for a sustainable world. From the oil age to a sun-powered future.
By Nicola Armaroli and Vincenzo Balzani. Angew Chem Int Ed 50(30):6704–6705
3. Pasten C, Santamarina JC (2012) Energy and quality of life. Energy Policy 49:468–476
References
397
16.5 Conclusion and Prospects
In conclusion, robust and active cocatalyst of TMPs composed with earth-rich and
inexpensive elements are desperately needed for achieving highly efficient, stable,
and low-priced photocatalytic water reduction. Indeed, TMPs as cocatalysts play
multiple roles in photocatalytic process. Firstly, the introduction of TMPs can
improve light absorption of semiconductor; secondly, TMPs can trap the photogenerated electrons and improve the separation efficiency of charges; and thirdly,
TMPs as active site can lower down activation energy of H 2 evolution. Up to now, a
plenty of TMPs, such as Ni 2 P, CoP, Cu 3 P, FeP, and MoP, have been widely
investigated. Among them, the highest hydrogen evolution rate and quantum efficiency reported are 553 μmolÁh
À1
Ámg
À1 at visible light irradiation and 41% at
450 nm for the optimized Ni 2 P/CdS system, respectively. With the compressive
progress in earth-abundant transition metal phosphides nanoparticles available for
photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, an overall review of these TMPs as
cocatalyst in photocatalysis for deep understanding and optimal utilization is
urgently required. In this review, the recent development of TMPs as cocatalysts
in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, including preparation, the role of P
atom, and the photocatalytic application, has been extensively reviewed.
It should be noted that although continuous progress has been made in
constructing TMPs as cocatalyst in photocatalysis, a wide range of scientific and
technical challenges still exists to achieve the commercialization of TMP cocatalysts
in photocatalysis. (1) It is very vital to refine the cocatalysts loading condition and
develop more effective method to uniform and controllable loading cocatalysts on
the surface of photocatalysts for achieving atomically well-bond nanojunction.
(2) Development of highly efficient, selective, and stable cocatalysts for
semiconductor-based photocatalytic water splitting is very desirable. (3) The fundamental research about physicochemical properties, electrochemical performance,
electron transfer, and multiple-electron coupled reaction mechanism of loaded
cocatalysts are very rare, and it will be very necessary to enrich this field.
References
1. Habisreutinger SN, Schmidt-Mende L, Stolarczyk JK (2013) Photocatalytic reduction of CO 2
on TiO 2 and other semiconductors. Angew Chem Int Ed 52(29):7372–7408
2. Fontecave M (2011) Energy for a sustainable world. From the oil age to a sun-powered future.
By Nicola Armaroli and Vincenzo Balzani. Angew Chem Int Ed 50(30):6704–6705
3. Pasten C, Santamarina JC (2012) Energy and quality of life. Energy Policy 49:468–476
References
397