Electrostatic self‐assembly of 2D‐2D CoP/ZnIn ₂ S ₄ nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Abstract Constructing efficient and cost‐effective photocatalysts are highly desirable for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, we prepare a unique 2D‐2D architecture photocatalyst composed of CoP and ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) nanosheets through electrostatic self‐assembly method. The constructed 2D‐2D CoP/ZIS exhibit a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic performance with hydrogen production rate of 8.775 mmol g −1 h −1 , and this value is much higher than ZIS and most of other ZIS‐based nanohybrids. Additionally, the nanohybrids possess excellent stability with 96.3% of initial activity remaining after 24 hours of testing. These satisfactory results are attributed to the large/intimate contact interface and the photo/electro‐chemical properties of ZIS and CoP, which improves light absorption, facilitates photoelectron transport and suppresses charge recombination. This work not only demonstrates ZIS nanosheet can serve as a versatile and effective platform supporting non‐noble metal nanosheets to boost their photocatalytic performance, but also offers a general and simple electrostatic self‐assembly method to design 2D‐2D‐based heterostructures for hydrogen conversion from water splitting.