3.1 Synthesis of CoP/ZnCdS/Co3O4QDs
Herein, we demonstrate the rational design and construction of
hierarchical
CoP/ZnCdS/Co3O4QDs bi-heterostructure cages by assembling about 800 nm CoP polyhedrons,
40 nm ZnCdS, and 4.5 nm Co3O4 QDs as a
prominent photocatalyst for H2 evolution. The overall
synthetic route for constructing the delicate architectures is
schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. Starting with ZIF-67 dodecahedrons
as the precursor, CoP polyhedrons with large surface was gained via
phosphatizing reaction. In addition, ZnCdS nanoparticles and
Co3O4 QDs are synthesized via
solvothermal methods. Finally, the
two cages, CoP/ZnCdS heterostructure cage with 40 nm ZnCdS nanoparticles
coated on the surface of about 800 nm CoP polyhedron and
ZnCdS/Co3O4 QDs cages with 4.5 nm
Co3O4 QDs decorated on the surface of 40
nm ZnCdS nanoparticle, are integrated into all-in-one hierarchical
CoP/ZnCdS/Co3O4QDs bi-heterostructure cages via utilizing their pyramid-shaped size
distribution. The complex
CoP/ZnCdS/Co3O4 QDs bi-heterostructure
cage architectures with excellent metal phosphide, solid solution, and
quantum dot subunits can seriously accelerate the separation and
transfer of electron-hole pairs, offer large surface area, and expose a
lot of active sites for photocatalytic H2 production.
Accordingly, the optimum CoP/ZnCdS/Co3O4QDs bi-heterostructure cages reveal ultrahigh activity and high
stability for visible light driven water splitting.