Ti3C2 MXene coupled with CdS nanoflowers as 2D/ 3D heterostructures for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production activity

As a novel co-catalyst, Ti3C2 MXene has an excellent prospect in the field of photocatalysis. Herein, the 2D/3D Ti3C2 MXene@CdS nanoflower (Ti3C2@CdS) composite was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The combination of 2D Ti3C2 MXene and 3D CdS nanoflowers can promote carrier transfer and separation, which can improve the performance of CdS. Compared to pure CdS nanoflowers, Ti3C2@CdS composite presents lower photoluminescence intensity, longer fluorescence lifetime, higher photocurrent density and smaller electrochemical impedance. The Ti3C2@CdS composite with 15 wt% Ti3C2 adding amount presents high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity (88.162 mmol g-1 h-1), 91.57 times of pure CdS. The improved photocatalytic activity of Ti3C2@CdS composite is ascribed to the addition of lamellar Ti3C2 MXene, which improves the electrical conductivity of the photocatalytic system and effectively accelerates the excited electrons transfer from CdS to Ti3C2 MXene.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.