Cu 3 P and Ni 2 P co‐modified g‐C 3 N 4 nanosheet with excellent photocatalytic H 2 evolution activities

Copper‐nickel phosphides/ graphite‐like phase carbon nitride (Cu 3 P‐Ni 2 P/g‐C 3 N 4 ) composites were obtained through a facile one‐pot in situ solvothermal approach. The coexistence of Cu 3 P and Ni 2 P plays an important role in enhancing the catalytic activity of g‐C 3 N 4 . The 7 wt% Cu 3 P‐Ni 2 P/g‐C 3 N 4 bimetallic phosphide photocatalyst demonstrates the best photocatalytic hydrogen (H 2 ) evolution rate of 6529.8 μmol g −1 h −1 , which is 80.7‐fold higher than that of g‐C 3 N 4 . The apparent quantum yield (AQE) was determined to be 18.5% at 400 nm over the 7% Cu 3 P‐Ni 2 P/g‐C 3 N 4 . This in situ growth strategy produced intimate contact interfaces, leading to a significantly promoted separation of charge carriers, and hence strengthened the photocatalytic H 2 production. Moreover, the coexistence of Cu 3 P and Ni 2 P reduced the overpotential of H 2 during the evolution process, further benefiting H 2 production. Finally, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism was proposed and verified by fluorescence and electrochemical analysis. This work provides a low‐cost strategy to synthesize nonprecious bimetallic phosphides/carbon nitride photocatalyst with outstanding H 2 production activity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry