2D‐Layered Carbon/TiO₂ Hybrids Derived from Ti₃C₂MXenes for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

TiO2 is a promising photocatalytic material for hydrogen generation. However, the fast recombination of electron–holes restricts the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. Herein, this study demonstrates a 2D‐layered carbon/TiO2 (C/TiO2) architecture via CO2 oxidation of 2D‐Ti3C2, in which the 2D carbon layers provide electron transport channels and improve the hole–electron separation efficiency. Compared to Ti3C2 support, the thickness of derived carbon supports is significantly reduced, which enhances the light intensity arriving at the surface of TiO2. The oxidation parameters are investigated systematically. It is found that high temperature and high CO2 gas flux lead to the formation of crystal TiO2 and the oxidation of carbon layers. The bandgap of 2D‐layered C/TiO2 samples is ranged from 2.83 to 2.89 eV. The 2D‐layered C/TiO2 delivers enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO2 catalysts. The optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 2D‐layered C/TiO2 is up to 24.04 µmol h−1, which is about 89 times higher than that of pure TiO2. This research broadens the applications of C/TiO2 hybrids and provides new approach to synthesize novel 2D‐layered materials for photocatalytic applications.

Room Temperature Oxidation of Ti3C2MXene for Supercapacitor Electrodes

“…15,41 Compared with Ti 3 C 2 MXene, spectra of the Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 -np (II) and Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 -nw (II) show four new peaks at 144, 403, 513, and 628 cm −1 separately, which are assigned to the anatase vibrational modes. 8,31,42 These results further demonstrate the formation of anatase TiO 2 after the oxidization treatment of Ti 3 C 2 MXene under different experimental conditions. The two broad peaks between 1350 and 1580 cm −1 belong to the D-and G-modes of graphitic carbon.…”

2D MXenes as Co-catalysts in Photocatalysis: Synthetic Methods

“…Because of its good electronic conductivity, the incorporation of Ti 3 C 2 improved electron/ hole separation and led to better methyl orange degradation. Yuan et al [97] annealed Ti 3 C 2 in CO 2 to prepare 2D-layered C/TiO 2 hybrids used in hydrogen production, in which the presence of 2D carbon layers increased electron transport channels and enhanced charge separation efficiency (Fig. 8b).…”

Heterostructured d‐Ti3C2/TiO2/g‐C3N4 Nanocomposites with Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity

“…On the other hand, because of its unique 2D structure and outstanding electrical conductivity, it can be employed as an excellent co‐catalyst to enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Several works have investigated the fabrication of TiO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 or TiO 2 /carbon layers derived from Ti 3 C 2 composites and have reported stunning photocatalytic activity . Furthermore, researchers have attempted to enhance the photocatalytic performance by combining Ti 3 C 2 with CdS; the promotion of the photocatalytic activity was validated by examining the visible‐light photocatalytic evolution of H 2 .…”