Effective orientation control of photogenerated carrier separation via rational design of a Ti3C2(TiO2)@CdS/MoS2 photocatalytic system

Zizheng Ai, Yongliang Shao, Bin Chang, Baibiao Huang, Yongzhong Wu*, Xiaopeng Hao

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    105 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Spontaneous photocatalytic H2 evolution from solar-driven water splitting is highly attractive for converting abundant solar energy to valuable fuel. Regulation of the direction of photocarriers separation and transport is an important factor influencing solar energy conversion efficiency. Here, structural design and energy band engineering are employed to design and construct a novel Ti3C2(TiO2)@CdS/MoS2 composite photocatalyst. The transfer direction of photogenerated electrons and holes is achieved via rational conjunction of Ti3C2 and MoS2. This well designed photocatalytic system possesses remarkable H2 evolution rate (8.47 mmol h−1 g−1) and excellent photocatalytic stability. Furthermore, a high H2 yield rate of 344.74 μmol h−1 g−1 can be reached in pure water without any electron sacrificial agents. Through combination with the scope of a type II junction between CdS and MoS2, the new Z-scheme between CdS and TiO2 transformed from Ti3C2 sets up a multi-step separation of electron-hole pairs. This process prolongs the lifetime of photogenerated electrons and makes them reach the active sites to initiate an efficient photocatalytic redox reaction. This work demonstrates that the design philosophy of selectively controlling the transfer direction of electrons and holes has promising applications in solar energyutilisation.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)202-208
    Number of pages7
    JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
    Volume242
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Mar 2019

    Keywords

    • Composite photocatalyst
    • H evolution
    • II junction
    • Multi-step separation
    • Z-scheme

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Catalysis
    • General Environmental Science
    • Process Chemistry and Technology

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