Conductive Ti3C2 and MOF-derived CoSx boosting the photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of TiO2

Abstract

Design and synthesis of high-efficiency and low-cost photocatalysts is essential for converting solar energy into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we report a novel TiO₂ nanocrystal photocatalyst confined by ZIF-67-templated porous CoS_x, with conductive Ti₃C₂ boosting the transport efficiency of the charge carriers. TiO₂–CoS_x and TiO₂–Ti₃C₂–CoS_x exhibit a photocatalytic H₂-production activity 2.8 and 5.8 times larger than that of pristine TiO₂, respectively, because of the existence of the highly porous MOF-templated CoS_x hydrogen evolution reaction cocatalyst and highly conductive Ti₃C₂. This study will provide a practical reference for the design and preparation of efficient photocatalysts with high transport and utilization efficiency of charge carriers.