Constructing Exfoliated, Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-Dispersed, LaCoO₃ and pC₃N₄-Based Nanocomposites with In Situ Grown Titania through Etching/Oxidation for Stimulating Solar H₂ Production

Abstract

The use of a well-designed Ti 3 C 2 MXene with in situ embedded titania nanoparticles to construct a porous carbon nitride (pCN)/LaCoO 3 Z-scheme and S-scheme heterojunction for stimulating solar hydrogen production has been explored. A novel oxidized/etched approach was employed to produce MXene to maximize charge separation in LaCoO 3 perovskite-dispersed pCN. On increasing the HF etching time from 24 to 48 h, the amount of titania embedded over the MXene was increased, enabling 1.71 times more H 2 evolution. More importantly, integrated etched/ oxidized Ti 3 C 2 nanoflowers showed more reaction area with enhanced light absorption, which was more prominent with increased temperature. The H 2 evolution was significantly increased due to in situ embedded TiO 2 . Comparatively, optimized 15Ti 3 C 2 T x /pCN was found to be more efficient at lower temperatures, which was further increased 7-fold with a 10Ti 3 C 2 T x / pCN-coupled LaCoO 3 Z-scheme heterojunction. This obvious enhancement was evidently due to utilizing the maximum redox potential with good interface interaction among the components to promote charge carrier separation. Among the sacrificial agents, TEOA was found to be more promising, with 9.1 times more H 2 production due to its strong bond with amine-based pCN, which was further confirmed by quantum analysis. In conclusion, the Z-scheme photosystem is promising for efficient mobility and separation of charges and would also be beneficial for other solar energy applications.

Recycling Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) to Construct CFs/TiO2 Nanotexture with Efficient Interface Charge Transfer for Stimulating Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

“…The molecular structures of glycerol and methanol consist of more carbon atoms attached to α-hydrogen atoms; thus, they were more favorable to enhance H 2 production . Previously, we investigated various sacrificial reagents and found hydrogen production in the order TEOA > methanol > glycerol . The discrepancy of the results in the current work was due to using TiO 2 , which has more potential to absorb glycerol compared to g-C 3 N 4 which has more potential to absorb TEOA and methanol than glycerol.…”

“…44 Previously, we investigated various sacrificial reagents and found hydrogen production in the order TEOA > methanol > glycerol. 45 The discrepancy of the results in the current work was due to using TiO 2 , which has more potential to absorb glycerol compared to g-C 3 N 4 which has more potential to absorb TEOA and methanol than glycerol.…”

Titanium Carbide MXenes Cocatalyst with Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Photocatalytic H2 Production, CO2 Reduction, and Reforming Applications: A Review on Fundamentals and Recent Advances

“…In this perspective, Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 was hybridized with LaCoO 3 to construct a Z-scheme heterojunction. The Ti 3 C 2 was heated at 300 °C, which was partially converted to TiO 2 to produce TiO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 . The good interface interaction of LaCoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 dispersed over TiO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 was achieved as shown in Figure d,e.…”

“…Several studies have successfully used Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid materials for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction and hydrogen production. For example, the Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid material exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic activity for CO 2 reduction. , In many other studies, the Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid material showed excellent photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production from water under visible light irradiation. , There is some growing research in this field, and some review articles have published, reported the synthesis and use of Ti 3 C 2 MXene for various applications . Recently, we reported the effect of various environmental and synthesis conditions on the properties of Ti 3 C 2 MXene for energy and environmental applications. − Similarly, in another review article, recent advances in Ti 3 C 2 based MOF composites for photocatalytic applications have been reported .…”

“…45,46 In many other studies, the Ti 3 C 2 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid material showed excellent photocatalytic performance for hydrogen production from water under visible light irradiation. 47,48 There is some growing research in this field, and some review articles have published, reported the synthesis and use of Ti 3 C 2 MXene for various applications. 49 Recently, we reported the effect of various environmental and synthesis conditions on the properties of Ti 3 C 2 MXene for energy and environmental applications.…”