Expanding g-C3N4 capabilities for photocatalytic H2 production by modification with Ti3C2Tx MXene

Photocatalytic hydrogen production is one of the most promising techniques for solar energy conversion. Herein, we proposed photocatalysts based on graphitic carbon nitride g-C3N4 with two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx (MXene) for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light (430 nm). The synthesis of the 0.5-15 wt% Ti3C2Tx/g- C3N4 photocatalysts included thermal polycondensation of melamine and urea mixture to obtain g-C3N4 with further deposition on its surface of Ti3C2Tx obtained by conventional etching technique. Bulk and surface structure of the synthesized photocatalysts was established by a set of characterization techniques. The photo- catalyst activity was tested in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from aqueous solutions of triethanolamine (TEOA), ethanol, and glucose. It was found that for all sacrificial agents, deposition of MXenes on the surface of g-C3N4 increased the activity in the hydrogen production. The highest activity at the level of 100 mu mol g- 1 h- 1 was achieved over 10 wt% Ti3C2Tx/g-C3N4 photocatalyst with TEOA as a sacrificial agent. In addition to the formation of hydrogen the presence of by-products, including CO, CO2, and other light hydrocarbons, was monitored. Relationships were established between the composition of the photocatalyst, the nature of the sacrificial agent and the distribution of reaction products.