TiO2/Ti3C2/g-C3N4 ternary heterojunction for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hieu, Vu Quang; Lam, Truong Chi; Khan, Afrasyab; Thi Vo, Thu-Thao; Nguyen, Thanh-Quang; Doan, Van Dat; Tran, Dai Lam; Le, Van Thuan; Tran, Vy Anh
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 285(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: TiO2/Ti3C2/g-C3N4 -- Ti3C2 MXene -- Hydrogen evolution -- Photocatalyst; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131429
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Photocatalytic hydrogen (H2 ) generation derived by water has been considered as a renewable energy to solve environmental problems and global energy crises. Thus, it is necessary to explore the most effective photocatalysts by using multi-cocatalysts, due to an intimate interaction between different components. Therefore, we already synthesized the TiO2 /Ti3 C2 /g-C3 N4 (TTC) photocatalyst from g-C3 N4 and Ti3 C2 MXene via a calcination technique, and applied this composite for H2 evolution. By making use of titanium atom from Ti3 C2 MXene, titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) was in-body developed, which leads to form a close heterostructure between metallic material and semiconductors. Besides, g-C3 N4 amorphous with highly surface area also contributes to harvest light irradiation during photocatalytic activity. The optimized TTC-450 heterostructure showed a super H2 generation efficiency than those of pure g-C3 N4 and other samples. Besides, TTC-450 sample also exhibited great recyclability after 4 runs. The proposed mechanism illustrates the efficient movement of generated electrons in TTC system, which leads to high H2 evolution efficiency. Moreover, the obtained results consistently emphasize the TiO2 /Ti3 C2 /g-C3 N4 composite would be a unique material for H2 production and broaden applications of MXene materials. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: TiO2 /Ti3 C2 /g-C3 N4 ternary composites are prepared via a calcination method. Ti3 C2 MXenes are used as a precursor for in situ transformation of TiO2 phases. TiO2 /Ti3 C2 /g-C3 N4 photocatalyst exhibits a remarkable H2 evolution performance. A proposed mechanism for H2 evolution toward TiO2 /Ti3 C2 /g-C3 N4 was illustrated.