Wide spectral photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of elemental red phosphorus supported with Au nanoparticles

Elemental red phosphorus (P) responds well to sunlight but displays low photocatalytic activity of H-2 evolution. Au/P composites were fabricated by a facile photoreduction method in this paper. 0.5% Au/P showed the highest activity of H-2 evolution, 2.97 and 2.47 folds of pure P under visible and near-infrared light, especially, obtained the fastest H-2 generation rate of 564.11 mu.mol.g(-1).h(-1) under the full spectrum of Xe lamp irradiation. The Au cocatalyst efficiently separated the photocarriers and enhanced the activity of pure P. It provides guideline to rationally design excellent wide spectral photocatalyst for water splitting.