An efficient photocatalytic system composed of Ti3C2 quantum dots incorporated in TiO2 nanosheets and CuWO4 nanoparticles: fabrication and its photocatalytic activity for H2 production

Abstract

It is of great significance for the large-scale application of photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production technology to develop an efficient, stable and noble metal free photocatalyst. Here, we developed a photocatalytic system consisting of Ti₃C₂ quantum dots embedded in TiO₂ nanosheets and CuWO₄ nanoparticles and then investigated its photocatalytic activity for H₂ generation. Finally, its photocatalytic mechanism was discussed generally. It was found that this photocatalytic system is an efficient noble metal free photocatalyst for H₂ production. Under its catalysis, the H₂ production rate can be up to 3.65 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is 192 times as high as that over TiO₂ nanoparticles (P25). Moreover, this photocatalytic system also possesses excellent stability. After nine cycles, it can even exhibit stronger photocatalytic activity in comparison with the fresh one. Thus, it was found that the Ti₃C₂ quantum dots embedded in the TiO₂ nanosheets possess great potential as a photocatalytic platform. This will provide a new ideas for the design and development of novel noble metal free TiO₂-based photocatalysts in the future.