Ni2P loading on Cd0.5Zn0.5S solid solution for exceptional photocatalytic nitrogen fixation under visible light

Abstract In this paper, transition metal phosphide (TMP) was used as cocatalyst to enhance the photocatalytic activity of Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S solid solution for nitrogen fixation under visible light irradiation. The Ni 2 P/Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic data showed that Ni 2 P/Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S had higher activity than pure Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S for photocatalytic dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation in the absence of any scavengers. After 1 h visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), the concentration of NH 3 reached to 101.5 μmol L −1 . And the quantum efficiency at 420 nm monochromatic light reached 4.32%, which much higher than other semiconductors. Time-resolved PL spectra, photocurrent and electrochemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy revealed that higher photo-induced carrier separation efficiency of Ni 2 P/Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S. This work introduced Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S solid solution photocatalyst to reduce nitrogen, and offered a greenly, economically and efficiently way for nitrogen fixation.