In situ growth of CdS spherical nanoparticles/Ti3C2 MXene nanosheet heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Kai, Chun‑Mei; Kong, Cui; Zhang, Feng‑Jun; Li, Dong‑Cai; Wang, Ying‑Rui; Oh, Won‑Chun; Kai, Chun‑Mei; Kong, Cui; Zhang, Feng‑Jun; Li, Dong‑Cai; Wang, Ying‑Rui; Oh, Won‑Chun

doi:2022.59.3.302

J. Korean Ceram. Soc. > Volume 59(3); 2022 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society 2022;59(3): 302-311.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43207-021-00158-w

In situ growth of CdS spherical nanoparticles/Ti3C2 MXene nanosheet heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Chun‑Mei Kai¹, Cui Kong¹, Feng‑Jun Zhang^1,2, Dong‑Cai Li^1,2, Ying‑Rui Wang³, Won‑Chun Oh⁴

¹Key Laboratory of Functional Molecule Design and Interface Process, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei Anhui 230601, People’s Republic of China
²Anhui Key Laboratory of Advanced Building Materials, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei Anhui 230022, People’s Republic of China
³Construction Economy and Real Estate Management Research Center, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei Anhui 230601, People’s Republic of China
⁴Department of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Hanseo University, Seosan 31962, Republic of Korea

Correspondence

Dong‑Cai Li ,Email: ldcai@ahjzu.edu.cn
Won‑Chun Oh ,Email: wc_oh@hanseo.ac.kr

Received: August 13, 2021; Revised: October 20, 2021 Accepted: October 26, 2021. Published online: May 31, 2022.

ABSTRACT

Solar photocatalytic hydrogen production is considered as a potential solution to alleviate the current global energy situation. In this work, a novle CdS spherical nanoparticles/Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheet (CM) heterostructure photocatalyst was prepared by in situ growth method, which has the characteristics of high efficiency and stability. The results showed that the CM sample has regular morphology and size. When compared with pure CdS, its specific surface area increased and the hydrogen evolution performance also greatly improved. Among them, the hydrogen evolution of CM-0.06 is 1295 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ (λ > 420 nm), which is 7 times that of spherical CdS, and it also showed stronger stability. Tight interface contact can promote the transfer and migration of photo-generated carriers, and the effective separation of electron hole pairs can enhance the absorption of visible light. In addition, Ti₃C₂ MXene acts as an electron trap can further accelerate the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The synergistic effect between semiconductor CdS and Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets, which provides a new idea for the design of more stable and efficient CdS-based photocatalysts.

Key words: CdS/Ti₃C₂T_x MXene · In situ growth · Photocatalyst · Hydrogen evolution · Synergistic effect