InVO<sub>4</sub>-Decorated Ti<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub> MXene for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Sanmilan Jyoti Kalita, Sagar Varangane, Purashri Basyach, Karanika Sonowal, B. Moses Abraham, Ankur K. Guha, Ujjwal Pal, Lakshi Saikia
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 InVO 4 /Ti 3 C 2 MXene (IVTC) heterostructures by employing acid etching to produce Ti 3 C 2 MXene with an accordion-like morphology, using the hydrothermal technique for the production of orthorhombic InVO 4 nanoparticles (NPs), and integrating them through a self-assembly approach. Both field-emission scanning electron microscopy and HRTEM analyses revealed a consistent distribution of InVO 4 NPs with an average size of 43.4 nm on both surfaces and between the sheets of Ti 3 C 2 MXene. The intimate interface between the Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheet and InVO 4 suppressed carrier recombination and promoted charge transfer, thereby boosting photocatalytic H 2 production. Under visible light exposure, the rate of hydrogen evolution is enhanced in IVTC heterostructures containing an optimized 10% loading of InVO 4, exhibiting over a 3-fold increase compared to pristine InVO 4 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 H 2 evolution.