Hydrothermal growth of ZnCdS/TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of the Ti3C2 MXene sheet to enhance photocatalytic performance under visible light

ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composites were prepared by a hydrothermal process to obtain an excellent photocatalyst with photo-corrosion resistant property. Under hydrothermal conditions, the surface of Ti3C2 MXene was wrapped by Na thorn and ZnCdS nanoparticles, which slowed down the further oxidation of Ti3C2 MXene into TiO2 and improved the utilization rate of MXene. The adsorption capacity of an optimal ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composite to methylene blue reached 299.68 mg/g, confirming a higher MXene content was important for photocatalytic degradation of an organic dye. The basal distance of the MXene layers increased from 10.59 angstrom to 15.21 angstrom due to the intercalation of ZnCdS, which could facilitate the transportation and adsorption of organic pollutant in ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene. The total removal efficiency was 9.3 times that of ZnCdS in 120 min. When the com-posites were used for photocatalytic hydrogen production, a relatively higher ZnCdS content was necessary. The hydrogen conversion efficiency of an optimal ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composite under visible light irradiation reached 8436.58 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1), which was 3.3 times that of ZnCdS. The ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composites showed excellent and stable photocatalytic activity in recycling experiments, confirming their excellent photo-corrosion property. These ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composites showed great potential in the application of pho-tocatalytic degradation and hydrogen production, and provided a new way to reduce the oxidation process of Ti3C2 MXene.

Automated summary

ZnCdS/TiO2/Na-MXene composites were prepared via a hydrothermal process, showing excellent photocatalytic performance and photo-corrosion resistant property. They exhibited great potential in photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen production applications, providing a new way to reduce the oxidation process of Ti3C2 MXene by increasing MXene content and intercalation of ZnCdS.