Black/red phosphorus quantum dots for photocatalytic water splitting: from a type I heterostructure to a Z-scheme system.

By virtue of the quantum confinement effect, the junction between black phosphorus and red phosphorus changes from a type I heterostructure for bulk materials to a Z-scheme system for quantum dots. The Z-scheme system of black/red phosphorus quantum dots (BP/RP-QD) achieves H2 evolution from water splitting in the absence of sacrificial agents.