Preparation of C-TiO2 photocatalyst with Ti3C2 MXene as precursor by molten salt method and its hydrogen production performance

In this paper, Ti3C2 was completely oxidized at a high temperature (350 degrees C, 400 degrees C and 450 degrees C) to form a composite catalysts: TiO2 nanoparticles with fragmentary carbon supporting, using the ZnCl2 molten salt method. The generated disordered carbon forms an inseparable connection with TiO2 nanoparticles grown in situ on the surface, which reduces the recombination of photocarriers and increases the specific surface area. ZnCl2 plays an important role in delaying the oxidation rate, thus inhibiting the abnormal growth of TiO2 grain and retaining more carbon, which led to a suitable composition of the catalyst, so as to obtain a better hydrogen production performance. ZnCl2 existence might also prevent the collapse of the accordion structure during the calcination process. The hydrogen production activity of C-TiO2 photocatalyst prepared by molten salt method with 3 wt% Pt as cocatalyst is up to 2.3 mmol/g/h, about 5.4 times and 2 times of that of calcination without molten salt and pure P25, respectively. [GRAPHICS] .