In situ decoration of ZnS nanoparticles with TiC MXene nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Seeking highly-efficient and cost-effective photocatalyst remains key to boosting photocatalytic H evolution activity. Herein we have designed an innovative, non-heavy-metal-based hybrid photocatalyst via in-situ decoration of ZnS nanoparticles with TiC MXene nanosheets toward enhanced photocatalytic H production. The incorporation of TiC essentially promotes the charge transfer and extends the lifetime of photo-induced carriers, thereby resulting in an augmented H production yield of 502.6 μmol g h under optimal conditions, being almost 4-fold higher than pure ZnS (124.6 μmol g h). Thus, this work has demonstrated ZnS/MXene photocatalytic as a promising candidate for hydrogen generation to boost the entire clean energy system and provided a new insight into further broadening the water splitting application of MXene-based materials.