An Elemental Phosphorus Photocatalyst with a Record High Hydrogen Evolution Efficiency |
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| Authors: | Dr. Zhuofeng Hu Luyan Yuan Prof. Zhifeng Liu Dr. Zhurui Shen Prof. Jimmy C. Yu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China;2. Shenzhen research institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China;3. Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China |
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| Abstract: | Semiconductive property of elementary substance is an interesting and attractive phenomenon. We obtain a breakthrough that fibrous phase red phosphorus, a recent discovered modification of red phosphorus by Ruck et al., can work as a semiconductor photocatalyst for visible‐light‐driven hydrogen (H2) evolution. Small sized fibrous phosphorus is obtained by 1) loading it on photoinactive SiO2 fibers or by 2) smashing it ultrasonically. They display the steady hydrogen evolution rates of 633 μmol h?1 g?1 and 684 μmol h?1 g?1, respectively. These values are much higher than previous amorphous P (0.6 μmol h?1 g?1) and Hittorf P (1.6 μmol h?1 g?1). Moreover, they are the highest records in the family of elemental photocatalysts to date. This discovery is helpful for further understanding the semiconductive property of elementary substance. It is also favorable for the development of elemental photocatalysts. |
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| Keywords: | photocatalysis hydrogen evolution phosphorus semiconductors sustainable chemistry |
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