One-step MOFs-assisted synthesis of intimate contact MoP-Cu₃P hybrids for photocatalytic water splitting

The development of transition metal phosphides (e.g., MoP, Cu₃P) as catalysts can promote the progress of photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, their serious carrier recombination inhibits the photocatalytic activity. The construction of heterojunctions is an effective method to induce carrier separation and migration, and has been undertaken to solve the problem. Hence, a new photocatalyst of MoP-Cu₃P hybrids with intimate contact have been prepared by a facile one-step metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-assisted synthesis method. The hybrids exhibit significant improvements of both optical and electrical properties. Optically, the hybrids perform broad and good light absorption. Electrically, the Schottky junction formed at the intimate contact interface enhance carrier separation/transfer process. As a result, the MoP-Cu₃P hybrids exhibit the enhanced photocatalytic activity with hydrogen production rate of 855 μmol/h/g, which is about 3.34 times higher than that of Cu₃P. This work can enrich the transition metal phosphides photocatalytic system and provide a charming MOFs-assisted synthesis for developing potential photocatalysts.