Leaf-like MXene nanosheets intercalated TiO2 nanorod array photoelectrode with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance

Abstract

In this study, a new photoelectrochemical material is fabricated by loading two-dimensional leaf-like Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets into the TiO2 nanorod array to form Ti3C2 nanosheets/TiO2 nanorod (Ti3C2/TiO2 NR) composite photoanode materials. The unique two-dimensional/one-dimensional (2D/1D) composite photocatalytic materials enhance the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance under simulated solar light (100 mW cm−2) and yield a high photocurrent density of 1.41 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (Vvs.RHE) and photoconversion efficiency of 0.46% at 0.78 Vvs.RHE, which are almost 3.13 and 5.82 times higher, respectively, than those of the pure rutile TiO2 NRs. The enhanced photoelectrochemical performances are attributed to the photogenerated electrons produced by TiO2 NR which could be quickly transported by Ti3C2 nanosheets due to their good electrical conductivity and increased specific surface area, which improve the separation efficiency of electrons and holes. These Ti3C2/TiO2 NR, as new photocatalytic materials, have promising potential applications in the fields of photoelectrochemical water splitting, solar cells, and other photocatalytic devices.