Ti3C2 MXene nanoparticles modified metal oxide composites for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting. (28th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Xuelian; Wang, Tao; Yin, Wenchao; Zhang, Yihe
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 2704
• Page End: 2710
• Publication Date: 2019-01-28
• Subjects: MXene -- Metal oxide -- Photoelectrochemical -- Heterostructured photoanodes -- Water splitting; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: MXene, an emerging family of two-dimensional (2-D) material, has shown outstanding electronic properties and promise for the applications on energy storage and conversion. In this paper, Ti3 C2 MXene nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile solvent exfoliation method and used to construct metal oxide/Ti3 C2 heterostructures. When these heterostructures were used as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting, significantly improved photoactivity and stability were achieved. Compared to pristine TiO2, 6-fold enhanced applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) was achieved for TiO2 /Ti3 C2 heterostructures. According to the electron spin resonance, electrical impedance spectroscopic and Mott-Schottky measurements, the enhanced photoelectrochemical performance was ascribed to the presence of Ti3 C2 as oxygen evolution cocatalysts and the strong interfacial interactions between metal oxide and Ti3 C2 . Therefore, our research provides a new way to design MXene-based heterostructures for solar energy conversion applications. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Ti3 C2 MXene nanoparticles were used to construct metal oxide/Ti3 C2 heterostructures. The photoanodes exhibit 6-fold enhanced photoactivity for PEC water splitting. The improved charge separation contributes to the superior activity. The applicability of this strategy was demonstrated by other metal oxide photoanodes.