Well‐Designed 2D/2D/2D Ternary ZCO/CN/TiC Nanocomposite for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production Through Water Splitting Under Visible Light

• Published in: ChemistrySelect (Weinheim) 2024-10, Vol.9 (37), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Khalifa, Wesam Alsayeh, Ikreedeegh, Riyadh Ramadhan, Alkbir, Munir Faraj Almabrouk, Janudd, Mohd Al Fatihhi Mohd Szali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: g‐C3N4; MXene; Photocatalytic H2 production; Solar fuels; S‐Scheme heterojunction; ZnCo2O4
• ISSN: 2365-6549; 2365-6549
• DOI: 10.1002/slct.202403308

Photocatalytic water splitting is considered as one of the most promising technologies for hydrogen production. A novel 2D/2D/2D ZnCo2O4/g‐C3N4/Ti3C2 (ZCO/CN/TiC) nanocomposite was synthesized through a facile thermal method for efficient photocatalytic H2 production under visible light. This multi‐heterojunction system displayed an efficient performance with higher H2 production rates compared to single catalysts. The experimental results revealed a hydrogen production rate of 1465 µmol g−1 for the ZCO/CN/TiC ternary composite after 4 h of light irradiation, which is about 3.8 and 2.5 times higher than that of g‐C3N4 and g‐C3N4/Ti3C2, respectively. This significant enhancement is mainly attributed to the efficient charge transfer within the constructed heterojunction system and due to the presence of MXene (Ti3C2), which acted as a solid electron mediator to suppress the charge recombination rate. Both the type and the amount of used sacrificial agent have exhibited a significant effect on the H2 production rate. The ZCO/CN/TiC ternary nanocomposite has also displayed the best quantum yield (QY = 1.316). The newly developed structured photocatalyst would provide a promising approach for the construction of easyprepared and noble‐metal‐free photocatalysts for the application of clean and sustainable fuel production. A novel 2D/2D/2D ZnCo2O4/g‐C3N4/Ti3C2 nanocomposite was developed for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production under visible light. The system showed a hydrogen production rate of 1465 µmol g−1 after 4 h, outperforming single catalysts. This enhancement is due to efficient charge transfer via an S‐scheme heterojunction and reduced charge recombination, aided by Ti3C2 MXene.