Dual Charge Transfer Channels over MXene into Zinc Indium Sulfide/Titanium Dioxide Composite Z-Scheme Heterostructure for Photocatalytic Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation Coupled with Hydrogen Production
Abstract
Photocatalytic selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes coupled with H2 production is an eco-friendly strategy for generating both high value-added chemicals and clean energy. In this study, a novel titanium carbide-zinc indium sulfide/titanium dioxide (Ti3C2-ZnIn2S4/TiO2) heterostructure is assembled to photo-catalyze oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) into benzaldehyde (BAD) and coupled with H2 production. The introduction of Ti3C2 as a potential regulator and the TiO2 as the catalytic core of BA oxidation had a synergistic effect of H2 and BAD production. Thus, the Ti3C2-ZIS/TiO2 heterostructure exhibits an impressive BAD and H2 production rate of 6.59 and 7.71 mmol g−1 h−1, respectively. Additionally, this composite photocatalyst displays superior cyclic stability for simultaneous BA oxidation and H2 production. The dual charge transfer channels constructed in the Ti3C2-ZIS/TiO2 heterostructure have a crucial effect on enhancing the spatial separation and transport of carriers. This work supplies a promising strategy for constructing dual charge transfer channels to enhance the spatial isolation and gathering of charge carriers, aiming to achieve both high value-added chemical synthesis and clean H2 energy production.