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

In this study, a new photoelectrochemical material is fabricated by loading two-dimensional leaf-like Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheets into the TiO 2 nanorod array to form Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets/TiO 2 nanorod (Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 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 (V vs. RHE ) and photoconversion efficiency of 0.46% at 0.78 V vs. RHE , which are almost 3.13 and 5.82 times higher, respectively, than those of the pure rutile TiO 2 NRs. The enhanced photoelectrochemical performances are attributed to the photogenerated electrons produced by TiO 2 NR which could be quickly transported by Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets due to their good electrical conductivity and increased specific surface area, which improve the separation efficiency of electrons and holes. These Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 NR, as new photocatalytic materials, have promising potential applications in the fields of photoelectrochemical water splitting, solar cells, and other photocatalytic devices.