InVO₄-Decorated Ti₃C₂ MXene for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

The generation of hydrogen through photocatalysis is a fascinating technology for addressing environmental concerns and the energy crisis. Nevertheless, the quest for cost-effective, stable, and efficient photocatalysts in the realm of energy conversion remains a significant challenge. Herein, we designed novel InVO₄/Ti₃C₂ MXene (IVTC) heterostructures by employing acid etching to produce Ti₃C₂ MXene with an accordion-like morphology, using the hydrothermal technique for the production of orthorhombic InVO₄ nanoparticles (NPs), and integrating them through a self-assembly approach. Both field-emission scanning electron microscopy and HRTEM analyses revealed a consistent distribution of InVO₄ NPs with an average size of 43.4 nm on both surfaces and between the sheets of Ti₃C₂ MXene. The intimate interface between the Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheet and InVO₄ suppressed carrier recombination and promoted charge transfer, thereby boosting photocatalytic H₂ production. Under visible light exposure, the rate of hydrogen evolution is enhanced in IVTC heterostructures containing an optimized 10% loading of InVO₄, exhibiting over a 3-fold increase compared to pristine InVO₄ NPs, maintaining efficiency across four cycles. This research presents a promising method for designing and creating high-efficiency heterostructures possessing excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution.