Enhanced Hydrogen Production Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of black hydrogenated TiO2-rGO nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this research, TiO2-GO composites were prepared by combination process included sol-gel for synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles and afterward loaded GO on TiO2 (NPs) with hydrothermal treatment in ethanol/water medium. The black TiO2–H nanoparticles and TiO2-rGO-H nanocomposites were prepared through simple thermal hydrogen treatment at 600 °C for 3 h. The synthesized nanoparticles and the composite catalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, FTIR analyzes and the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area measurement. The results revealed that synthesized TiO2 nanopowder was almost anatase phase with high crystallinity when coupled with GO leads to a decrease in the size of the crystallites by creation of smaller TiO2 clusters in result of enhanced dispersion of TiO2 on GO sheets. However, adding up GO has slightly improved optical properties of the photocatalyst samples. Compared with TiO2-GO composites, the high temperature (600 °C) hydrogenation produced anatase/rutile black TiO2-rGO nanocomposites enhanced hydrogen production rate 9 orders of magnitude higher than those observed for TiO2 powders, reached values of more than 368 μ mol g− 1 h – 1. A significant reduction in the energy band gap of 2.72 eV (DRS results) and also decreasing the electron-hole recombination according to PL spectra results has been recorded for TiO2-rGO-H nanocomposite. In addition, the black TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-rGO nanocomposites possessed much more concentration of oxygen vacancies and carrier concentration according to Raman analysis.

Hydrogen production from low-temperature methanol steam reforming over silver-promoted CuO/ZnO/Ag/Al2O3 Catalyst

Cu-based catalysts featured with high activity at low temperatures and suppressed CO generation are expected to attract significant attention in the methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction for on-board hydrogen production for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Herein, we demonstrate that Ag incorporation into a CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst leads to enhanced hydrogen production activity and suppressed CO selectivity in MSR reactions at low temperatures (200–220 °C). The characterization results revealed that incorporation of a small amount of Ag in the catalyst not only improves the dispersion of the polymetallic components and diversifies the Cu species, but also lowers Cu reduction temperature and brings more oxygen vacancies, thereby leading to improved catalytic performance. The preparation conditions, structure-activity relationship, and stability of the Ag-promoted catalyst were investigated in detail based on time-on-steam tests and characterizations. This finding paves a new possible way for the optimization of the Cu-based catalysts for MSR.

Effects of carbon source variability on enhanced Bio-hydrogen production

This study investigated how glucose, starch, and rapeseed oil, three common food waste components with diverse molecular and physicochemical characteristics, influenced hydrogen production and microbial communities in dark fermentation under varying carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios. The results indicated that glucose and starch groups, significantly increased hydrogen yields to 235 mL H2/gVS (C/N = 40) and 234 mL H2/gVS (C/N = 40), respectively, while rapeseed oil, with a lower yield of 30 mL H2/gVS (C/N = 20), demonstrated a negative impact. Additionally, an accumulation of propionate was observed with increasing carbon source complexity, suggesting that simpler carbon sources favored hydrogen production and bacterial growth. Conversely, lipid-based materials required rigorous pre-treatment to mitigate their inhibitory effects on hydrogen generation. Overall, this study underscores the importance of carbon source selection, especially glucose and starch, for enhancing hydrogen production and microbial growth in dark fermentation, while highlighting the challenges posed by lipid-rich substrates that require intensive pre-treatment to optimize yields.

Room temperature preparation of novel g-C3N4/RuNP/ZIF-8 Z-scheme heterojunction for solar-light driven H2 generation

We present a novel approach for the room temperature synthesis and integration of Ru nanoparticles into a Z-scheme heterojunction comprising graphitic carbon nitride (CN) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). This heterojunction demonstrates outstanding efficiency in sunlight-driven hydrogen (H2) generation via water splitting. Various structural and spectroscopic analyses elucidate Ru nanoparticles' successful incorporation and synergistic effects within the CN/ZIF-8 heterojunction because the decrease in interplanar spacing due to π-π stacking interactions between aromatic rings of tri-s-triazine in CN and imidazole rings in ZIF-8. The Z-scheme configuration facilitates efficient charge separation and promotes H2 production. Additionally, Ru nanoparticles offer alternative electron transfer pathways, enhancing carrier separation and prolonging the lifespan of photoinduced charges compared to CN and ZIF-8 alone. Notably, RZCN-2 heterojunction exhibited significantly enhanced hydrogen production, reaching 5245 μmol g−1 h−1. By analyzing work functions and energy band structures, we demonstrate that the strong interfacial electric fields across the Z-scheme heterojunction effectively mitigate the recombination of photogenerated charges while maintaining the necessary redox capacity for efficient H2 production. The room temperature synthesis and integration of Ru nanoparticles provide a practical and effective strategy for optimizing photocatalytic activity and promoting sustainable energy conversion, thereby advancing photocatalytic technologies.

Intensified reforming reactor for blue hydrogen and nitrogen production

The development of Chemical-looping Reforming (CLR) for blue hydrogen production requires a precise reactor design and control to achieve optimal efficiency and operability. This study proposes a 1D heterogeneous model for a CLR fixed-bed reactor, targeting the production of blue hydrogen and nitrogen. Validation against experimental data confirms the model’s accuracy and reliability. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis highlights reactor variables, including active metal content in the oxygen carrier, steam-to-methane ratio, and molar flow rates during reduction and reforming stages, as key variables in determining reactor performance. Optimizing these variables is crucial for process intensification and enhancing hydrogen production efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the reactor yields nitrogen with a concentration above 98% during the oxidation stage and hydrogen with a 66.7% concentration during the reforming stage. Moreover, the CLR reactor operates autothermally and reaches a hydrogen production efficiency of 63.6%, prior to any further purification. The study concludes with a discussion of the reactor’s challenges and opportunities, laying the groundwork for potential future research and advancements in the field.

Enhanced hydrogen production of Fe-based spinel by relay catalysis of Fe0 and Fe-Ov-Cr species in chemical looping H2O splitting

Chemical looping H2O splitting is considered as a promising approach to produce hydrogen thanks to its lower energy consumption and carbon footprint compared with traditional steam reforming. Fe-based oxides have been paid much attention but suffer from inferior H2 production rate and stability due to insufficient activation for H2O. Herein, it was found that the introduction of Cr into MgFe spinel oxides (MgFexCr2-xO4, MFCO) could greatly increase the performance of H2O splitting driven by CH4 reduction with the highest peak H2 production rate of about 4.65 mmol min−1 g−1, H2 productivity of about 2.88 mmol g−1 and good stability during multiple redox cycles for MFCO-46 (the atomic ratio of Fe and Cr of 2:3), which exceeded most of the state-of-the-art Fe-based oxides. This originated from the Cr doping promoting Fe0 nanoparticles exsolution by activating CH4 and Fe-Ov-Cr species formation which relay catalyzed H2O splitting and was favorable for the fast recovery of lattice oxygen converted.

From Waste to Energy: Enhancing Fuel and Hydrogen Production through Pyrolysis and In-Line Reforming of Plastic Wastes

Plastics have become integral to modern life, playing crucial roles in diverse industries such as agriculture, electronics, automotive, packaging, and construction. However, their excessive use and inadequate management have had adverse environmental impacts, posing threats to terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently, researchers are increasingly searching for more sustainable ways of managing plastic wastes. Pyrolysis, a chemical recycling method, holds promise for producing valuable fuel sustainably. This study explores the process of the pyrolysis of plastic and incorporates recent advancements. Additionally, the study investigates the integration of reforming into the pyrolysis process to improve hydrogen production. Hydrogen, a clean and eco-friendly fuel, holds significance in transport engines, power generation, fuel cells, and as a major commodity chemical. Key process parameters influencing the final products for pyrolysis and in-line reforming are evaluated. In light of fossil fuel depletion and climate change, the pyrolysis and in-line reforming strategy for hydrogen production is anticipated to gain prominence in the future. Amongst the various strategies studied, the pyrolysis and in-line steam reforming process is identified as the most effective method for optimising hydrogen production from plastic wastes.

Pt─O Bond Accelerated Cu0/Cu+ Activity for Boosting Low-Energy Bipolar Hydrogen Production.

To address the imperative challenge of producing hydrogen in a low-energy consumption electrocatalytic system, this study emphasizes the utilization of thermodynamically favorable biomass oxidation for achieving energy-efficient hydrogen generation. This research integrates ultralow PtO2-loaded flower-like nanosheets (denoted as PtO2@Cu2O/Cu FNs) with Cu0/Cu+ pairs and Pt─O bonds, thereby yielding substantial enhancement in both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, -0.042 VRHE at 10mAcm-2) and furfural oxidation reaction (FFOR, 0.09 VRHE at 10mAcm-2). As validated by DFT calculations, the dual built-in electric field (BIEF) is elucidated as the driving force behind the enhanced activities, in which Pt─O bonds expedite the HER, while Cu+/Cu0 promotes low-potential FFOR. By coupling the FFOR and HER together, the resulting bipolar-hydrogen production system requires a low power input (0.5072kWhperm3) for producing H2. The system can generate bipolar hydrogen and high value-added furoic acid, significantly enhancing hydrogen production efficiency and concurrently mitigating energy consumption.

Fabrication and catalytic assessment of Ni/Ce–Zr–O catalyst for enhanced hydrogen production via steam reforming of glycerol

The valorization of glycerol, a plentiful byproduct derived from the biodiesel industry, for green hydrogen production via steam reforming (GSR) has attracted considerable attention. Nevertheless, catalysts developed for GSR encounter critical obstacles related to thermal stability and coke deposition during prolonged operations. In this study, we strategically employed thermally stable ZrO2 as a support along with redox-active Ce as a promoter for Ni to optimize both the preparation method and constituent content of the Ce-promoted Ni/ZrO2 catalyst for GSR. The physicochemical properties of both fresh and GSR-used catalysts were investigated using a range of characterization techniques, including XRD, H2-TPR, SEM-EDS/TEM, N2 adsorption/desorption, and TGA. The results demonstrate that the sol-gel method yields a Ni/Ce–Zr–O catalyst with smaller Ni crystals and a higher surface nickel content compared to the step impregnation and co-precipitation methods, thereby achieving enhanced catalytic activity. Moreover, the catalyst prepared by the sol-gel method exhibited excellent activity stability at elevated feedstock concentrations. Furthermore, it has been determined that there is an optimized amount of Ce doping for the Ni/ZrO2 catalyst, which allows the catalyst to achieve the highest pore parameters and surface nickel content. Among the studied catalysts, the one containing 30/50 wt% of designed CeO2/ZrO2 achieved the highest and most stable H2 yield (4.32 mol⋅mol−1) and carbon gasification efficiency (70.28 %) during a 24-h's GSR with a feedstock concentration of 15 wt% at 500 °C (with a WHSV of 45 h−1). Importantly, this optimized Ni/Ce–Zr–O catalyst effectively eliminates the deposition of filamentous/crystallized coke during long-term GSR operation due to enhanced oxygen vacancies created by the formed CexZr1-xO2 species, making it highly promising for large-scale applications.

Characterization and potentiality of plant-derived silver nanoparticles for enhancement of biomass and hydrogen production in Chlorella sp. under nitrogen deprived condition

Energy is a crucial entity for the development and it has various alternative forms of energy sources. Recently, the synthesis of nanoparticles using benign biocatalyst has attracted increased attention. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using Azadirachta indica plant-derived phytochemical as the reducing agent. Biomass of the microalga Chlorella sp. cultivated in BG11 medium increased after exposure to low concentrations of up to 0.48 mg L−1 AgNPs. In addition, algal cells treated with 0.24 mg L−1 AgNPs and cultivated in BG110 medium which contained no nitrogen source showed the highest hydrogen yield of 10.8 mmol L−1, whereas the untreated cells under the same conditions showed very low hydrogen yield of 0.003 mmol L−1. The enhanced hydrogen production observed in the treated cells was consistent with an increase in hydrogenase activity. Treatment of BG110 grown cells with low concentration of green synthesized AgNPs at 0.24 mg L−1 enhanced hydrogenase activity with a 5-fold increase of enzyme activity compared to untreated BG110 grown cells. In addition, to improve photolytic water splitting efficiency for hydrogen production, cells treated with AgNPs at 0.24 mg L−1 showed highest oxygen evolution signifying improvement in photosynthesis. The silver nanoparticles synthesized using phytochemicals derived from plant enhanced both microalgal biomass and hydrogen production with an added advantage of CO2 reduction which could be achieved due to an increase in biomass. Hence, treating microalgae with nanoparticles provided a promising strategy to reduce the atmospheric carbon dioxide as well as increasing production of hydrogen as clean energy.

Mitigating deactivation in dry methane reforming by lanthanum catalysts for enhanced hydrogen production: A review

Catalyst deactivation in dry methane reforming, resulting from coke accumulation and sintering, has long captivated academic interest due to its negative impact on catalytic performance and hindrance to industrial scalability. Thus, developing efficient catalysts capable of sustaining high reforming activity and stability is crucial. Lately, lanthanum (La) has gained popularity in catalysis for its ability to enhance performance and resist coking, owing to its great basicity, redox capabilities, and high oxygen storage capacity. As a result, diverse strategies for incorporating La into catalysts, including support, promoter, bimetallic combinations, and perovskite formation, have been extensively explored. Herein, this review delves into various advancements in lanthanum-based catalysts and their effectiveness in dry methane reforming while addressing catalyst deactivation and regeneration. Finally, the prospect of La-based catalysts in dry methane reforming is also emphasized in this review.

Enhanced hydrogen production through methane dry reforming: Evaluating the effects of promoter-induced variations in reducibility, basicity, and crystallinity on Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst performance

The pursuit of sustainable hydrogen production through the conversion of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), two prevalent greenhouse gases, is advanced by utilizing cost-effective Ni-supported catalysts within the framework of methane dry reforming. Utilizing crystalline porous zeolite, specifically ZSM-5, enhances the dispersion of nickel (Ni) across the catalyst surface and within its pore channels, hence increasing catalytic efficiency. Herein, we investigate the impact of incorporating various promoters (Ce, Cs, Cu, Fe, Sr) into the 5Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst, systematically examining how these modifications influence the reducibility, basicity, and crystallinity of the catalyst’s active sites, thereby affecting its hydrogen yield potential.Our findings reveal that the inferior activity of Cu-promoted catalysts is due to the depletion of basic sites and larger NiO crystallite size (than rest-promoted catalysts). The introduction of Fe results in a highly dispersed Ni with a stable NiFe phase, but dilution of active sites results in low hydrogen yield. Conversely, Sr promotion enhances the basicity and accessibility of NiO active sites both on the surface and within the pore channels of the zeolite, leading to a notable hydrogen yield of 28 % at 700℃ after 300 min. Furthermore, the addition of 2 wt% ceria significantly optimizes Ni dispersion within the pore channels and surges the maximum population of basic sites (including the presence of very strong basic sites), achieving 35 % hydrogen yield at 700 °C and ∼ 70 % at 800℃. This investigation underscores the critical role of promoter-induced modifications in enhancing catalyst performance for hydrogen production, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies.

Application of recyclable iron-based supplementation for promoting biohydrogen and ethanol co-production

Supplementation additives is a promising approach in enhancing hydrogen production during fermentation processes, owing to the advantages of simple operation and low energy consumption. Exploring efficient and recyclable additives is a pivotal issue for its industrial applications. In this study, a magnetic recyclable iron-based biochar (FeBCs) was synthesized by one-step co-pyrolysis of straw biomass and K2FeO4 to enhance hydrogen production of Ethanoligenens harbinense. Results showed that the biochar derived by pyrolysis at 1000 °C (FeBC1000) established the highest H2 yield (2.09 mol·H2/mol·glucose) and ethanol yield (82.35 ± 3.27 mM) being 41.21 % and 22.27 % higher than that of the control group, respectively. The addition of FeBCs facilitated the substrate consumption and the excretion of protein and carbohydrate in extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Magnetic FeBC1000 displayed the remarkable reusability, and the H2 yield was 33.59 % higher than that of the control group after being recycled for three times. The mechanism of FeBC1000 enhancing hydrogen production was that it promoted hydrogenase activity by reducing the redox potential, enhancing electron transfer, buffering the pH, releasing ferrous ions, and promoting cell immobilization. Overall, the study provided a recyclable and efficient magnetic additive for biohydrogen production, and operate a new direction for comprehensive utilization of straw with low energy input.

Nano-Sheets of CsNiVF6 Pyrochlore Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Urea Oxidation and Hydrogen Green Production Reactions

This study presents the successful synthesis of a cesium–nickel–vanadium fluoride (CsNiVF6) pyrochlore nano-sheet catalyst via solid-phase synthesis and its electrochemical performance in green hydrogen production through urea electrolysis in alkaline media. The physicochemical characterizations revealed that the CsNiVF6 exhibits a pyrochlore-type structure consisting of a disordered cubic corner-shared (Ni, V)F6 octahedra structure and nano-sheet morphology with a thickness ranging from 10 to 20 nm. Using the CsNiVF6 catalyst, the electrochemical analysis, conducted through cyclic voltammetry, demonstrates a current mass activity of ~1500 mA mg−1, recorded at 1.8 V vs. RHE, along with low-resistance (3.25 ohm) charge transfer and good long-term stability for 0.33 M urea oxidation in an alkaline solution. Moreover, the volumetric hydrogen production rate at the cathode (bare nickel foam) is increased from 12.25 to 39.15 µmol/min upon the addition of 0.33 M urea to a 1.0 KOH solution and at a bias potential of 2.0 V. The addition of urea to the electrolyte solution enhances hydrogen production at the cathode, especially at lower voltages, surpassing the volumes produced in pure 1.0 M KOH solution. This utilization of a CsNiVF6 pyrochlore nano-sheet catalyst and renewable urea as a feedstock contributes to the development of a green and sustainable hydrogen economy. Overall, this research underscores the potential use of CsNiVF6 as a cost-effective nickel-based pyrochlore electrocatalyst for advancing renewable and sustainable urea electrolysis processes toward green hydrogen production.

Innovations in Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting: Pathways to Efficiently Convert Biomass into Renewable Energy and Chemicals

AbstractThis review comprehensively explores the integration of photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technologies for hydrogen production via water splitting, in synergy with the efficient conversion of biomass resources. This synergistic strategy significantly boosts hydrogen production rates in both PC and PEC systems and enhances solar energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, it enables selective conversion of cost‐effective biomass via precise modulation of catalyst structures, paving a novel pathway for green hydrogen generation and synthesis of high‐value chemicals. Specifically, the manuscript highlights recent progress in the oxidation and coupling reactions of biomass derivatives, such as methanol, ethanol, glycerol, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, in PC/PEC systems. It reveals their potential to enhance hydrogen production efficiency and the synthesis of high‐value organic compounds. Future research should focus on employing in‐situ characterization techniques and theoretical simulations to deeply understand reaction mechanisms, thus advancing the field of biomass conversion through photocatalytic/photoelectrocatalytic methods.

Advancing two-stage hydrogen production from corn stover via dark fermentation: Contributions of thermally modified maifanite to microbial proliferation and pH self-regulation

This study introduces a two-stage hydrogen production enhancement mechanism using natural particle additives, with a focus on the effects of thermally modified maifanite (TMM) and pH self-regulation on dark fermentation (DF). Initial single-factor experiments identified preliminary parameters for the addition of TMM, which were further optimized using a Box-Behnken design. The established optimal conditions which include mass of 5.5 g, particle size of 120 mesh, and temperature of 324 °C, resulted in a 28.7 % increase in cumulative hydrogen yield (CHY). During the primary hydrogen production stage, TMM significantly boosted the growth and activity of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, enhancing hydrogen output. Additionally, a pH self-regulating phenomenon was observed, capable of initiating secondary hydrogen production and further augmenting CHY. These findings presented a novel and efficient approach for optimizing biohydrogen production, offering significant implications for future research and application in sustainable energy technologies.

Enhancing proton transport in polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes and reducing biofouling for improved hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis cells

Hydrophilic porous membranes, exemplified by polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes, have demonstrated significant potential for replacing ion exchange membranes in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Membrane fouling remains a major challenge in MECs, impeding proton transport and consequently limiting hydrogen production. This study aims to investigate a synergistic antifouling strategy for PVDF membrane through the incorporation of a coating composed of polydopamine (PDA), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The PDA-PEI-Ag@PVDF membrane not only effectively mitigates fouling through steric and electrostatic repulsion forces, but also amplifies ion transport by facilitating water diffusion and electromigration. The PDA-PEI-Ag@PVDF membrane exhibited a reduced membrane resistance of 1.01 mΩ m2 and PDA-PEI-Ag modifying PVDF membrane was found to be effective in enhancing the proton transportation of PVDF membrane. Therefore, the enhanced hydrogen production rate of 2.65 ± 0.02 m3/m3/d was achieved in PDA-PEI-Ag@PVDF-MECs.

Enhanced hydrogen production through cracking of ammonia water using liquid plasma on titanate-based perovskite catalysts

In this study, a mass production of hydrogen was studied through cracking of ammonia water using liquid plasma. A new FexNi1-xTiO3 perovskite composite with significantly improved visible-light sensitivity was synthesized to further improve the photochemical reaction activity. It is applied to hydrogen production from the decomposition of ammonia water using liquid plasma. In this reaction, a large amount of hydrogen is produced with a small amount of nitrogen gas; moreover, oxygen is produced by liquid plasma discharge and no CO2 byproduct is produced. Titanate-based perovskite catalysts have also been used in decomposition reactions. Titanate-based perovskite catalysts exhibiting high rates of hydrogen production during decomposition were obtained for the plasma and photocatalytic decomposition of aqueous ammonia. FexNi1-xTiO3, which is a newly synthesized ABTiO3-type titanate, showed a higher rate of hydrogen production (approximately 140 L/(g·h)) than other titanate-based perovskites. Furthermore, the FexNi1-xTiO3 exhibited the highest sensitivity to UV and visible light. Its high photosensitivity helped improve the photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of ammonia in water using plasma.

A novel industrial magnetically enhanced hydrogen production electrolyzer and effect of magnetic field configuration

Hydrogen energy is a clean, zero‑carbon, flexible and abundant secondary energy. The large-scale deployment of industrial hydrogen production equipment is an effective way to improve renewable energy consumption, the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis is crucial for equipment deployment. In this paper, a novel industrial magnetically enhanced AWE electrolyzer is designed to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production. The structure and assembly method of the magnetic bipolar plate are introduced, the BOP component is designed and an industrial system-level test platform is built. The results show that the magnetic enhanced electrolyzer can effectively improve the hydrogen production efficiency, however, the effects of different magnetic field configurations (Magnetic field horizontal configuration, MFHC; Magnetic field vertical configuration, MFVC; No magnetic field configuration, NMFC) are significantly different. The magnetic field of MFVC are concentrated inside the bipolar plate and perpendicular to the direction of the electric field, and there is almost no magnetic flux leakage inside the cathode and anode cells. The magnetic field and the electric field of the MFHC configuration are not completely perpendicular, the magnetic field distribution is irregular, there are more magnetic flux leakage in the cells, and the magnetic field intensity is obviously greater than that of the MFVC configuration. Compared with NMFC, MFHC and MFVC significantly improved the hydrogen production efficiency, MFHC performance is better, the current density increased by 28.48% (@50 °C-100 L/h-2 V cell voltage-30%wt KOH), DC power consumption was reduced by 6.2% (CC100A-100 L/h-30%wt KOH). The design method and configuration scheme of magnetically enhanced electrolyzer provide a new idea for the industrial application of magnetic fields in AWE hydrogen production equipment.

Steering charge flow in hierarchical ZnIn2S4/TiO2/Ti3C2 heterojunction for noble-metal-free photocatalytic hydrogen production

The construction of effective photogenerated charge transfer channels through interface engineering is the key to achieving the highly efficient of photocatalysts. Herein, sandwich-like ZnIn2S4/TiO2/Ti3C2 nanosheets integrated type-II heterostructure with Schottky junction are reasonably fabricated by low temperature in-situ growth method. Benefitting from the intensive visible light absorption of ZnIn2S4, the fast electron transport of TiO2, the rich active sites in Ti3C2, as well as the intimate interface coupling and the matched band alignment among ternary components, enhanced hydrogen production can be achieved with ZnIn2S4/TiO2/Ti3C2 hierarchical photocatalyst under visible light irradiation in the absence of noble metal co-catalysts. The concept of coupling type-II heterostructure with the Schottky barrier can steer the charge flow and boost the charge carrier separation and transfer across the interfacial domain, which may spark new ensemble design for efficient solar energy harvesting and conversion.