LAUSR

Abstract Utilizing sunlight to drive water splitting for hydrogen (H2) evolution is considered to be a promising strategy in addressing energy and environmental problems. Nevertheless, developing a highly efficient and robust photocatalytic system remains a huge challenge. Herein, we constructed a photocatalytic system integrated 2D semiconductor with the noble-metal-free conductor to improve the photocatalytic performance. To implement this idea, optimizing bulk semiconductor to 2D ultra-thin structure shortens the migration distance of photogenerated carriers. Then, constructing a noble-metal-free conductor-semiconductor Schottky junction further improves the separation of photogenerated electron-hole (e−-h+) pairs. Combining the advantages of 2D ultra-thin structure and Schottky junction effect, the photocatalytic performance of the system is synergistically enhanced. In this work, we choose metallic nickel phosphide (Ni2P) as a conductor integrated with 2D g-C3N4 as a proof of concept. As expected, the composites exhibit a significant improvement in photocatalytic performance in comparison with the bare 2D g-C3N4. The process of photogenerated carriers is illustrated by various characterizations and the corresponding mechanism is also proposed.