CdS Nanorods Anchored with Crystalline FeP Nanoparticles for Efficient Photocatalytic Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

Photocatalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid is a promising strategy for H 2 generation. In this work, we report the use of crystalline iron phosphide (FeP) nanoparticles as an efficient and robust cocatalyst on CdS nanorods (FeP@CdS) for highly efficient photocatalytic formic acid dehydrogenation. The optimal H 2 evolution rate can reach ∼556 μmol·h –1 at pH 3.5, which is more than 37 times higher than that of bare CdS. Moreover, the photocatalyst demonstrates excellent stability; no significant decrease of the catalytic activity was observed during continuous testing for more than four days. The apparent quantum yield is ∼54% at 420 nm, which is among the highest values obtained using noble-metal-free photocatalysts for formic acid dehydrogenation. This work provides a novel strategy for designing highly efficient and economically viable photocatalysts for formic acid dehydrogenation.