Black Phosphorus/Platinum Heterostructure: A Highly Efficient Photocatalyst for Solar‐Driven Chemical Reactions

Abstract

A 2D black phosphorus/platinum heterostructure (Pt/BP) is developed as a highly efficient photocatalyst for solar-driven chemical reactions. The heterostructure, synthesized by depositing BP nanosheets with ultrasmall (≈1.1 nm) Pt nanoparticles, shows strong Pt-P interactions and excellent stability. The Pt/BP heterostructure exhibits obvious P-type semiconducting characteristics and efficient absorption of solar energy extending into the infrared region. Furthermore, during light illumination, accelerated charge separation is observed from Pt/BP as manifested by the ultrafast electron migration (0.11 ps) detected by a femtosecond pump-probe microscopic optical system as well as efficient electron accumulation on Pt revealed by in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These unique properties result in remarkable performance of Pt/BP in typical hydrogenation and oxidation reactions under simulated solar light illumination, and its efficiency is much higher than that of other common Pt catalysts and even much superior to that of conventional thermal catalysis. The 2D Pt/BP heterostructure has enormous potential in photochemical reactions involving solar light and the results of this study provide insights into the design of next-generation high-efficiency photocatalysts.

Direct Z‐Scheme Hetero‐phase Junction of Black/Red Phosphorus for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

“…High-resolution P 2p XPS spectra show two narrow peaks located at 129.6 and 130.5 eV,w hich are assigned to elemental P2p 3/2 and 2p 1/2 ( Figure S7 b). [15] Aw eak and broad sub-band for oxidized phosphorus species (P x O y )i sa pparent at around 133.2 eV,which is also confirmed by the corresponding FT-IR spectra ( Figure S8). [5b] These results imply that partial oxidation happened on the surface of BP/RP,inaccordance with its low zeta potential value of À39.2 mV (Table S2).…”

“…TheX PS survey spectrum affirms the main existence of elemental Pi nB P/RP ( Figure S7 a). [15] Aw eak and broad sub-band for oxidized phosphorus species (P x O y )i sa pparent at around 133.2 eV,which is also confirmed by the corresponding FT-IR spectra ( Figure S8). [15] Aw eak and broad sub-band for oxidized phosphorus species (P x O y )i sa pparent at around 133.2 eV,which is also confirmed by the corresponding FT-IR spectra ( Figure S8).…”

Rapid Activation of Platinum with Black Phosphorus for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

“…Formation of Pt II species stem from surface oxidation of Pt nanoparticles upon exposure to air . Another set of peaks of 4f 7/2 at 72.9 eV from PtNPs/BP is related to the formation of Pt‐P bonds . In contrast, such Pt−P bonds cannot be found from PtNPs and PtNPs/RP consistent with the adsorption energy calculation.…”

Solar‐Inspired Water Purification Based on Emerging 2D Materials: Status and Challenges

“…The bandgap of phosphorene can be changed adequately and efficiently for absorbing photons in a wide range of solar spectrum . Moreover, phosphorus is a stable photocatalyst with rubber‐like atomic absorption lattice structure and broad application prospect in water, light, and air conditions.…”