2D/2D heterostructure of ultrathin BiVO4/Ti3C2 nanosheets for photocatalytic overall Water splitting

Photocatalytic overall water splitting is a promising environmental friendly technique to convert solar energy into hydrogen (H-2) and oxygen (O-2). Here, BiVO4 ultrathin nanosheets is found to disintegrate pure water into H-2 and O-2 simultaneously under simulated solar light irradiation without sacrificial reagents. And a novel 2D/2D BiVO4/Ti3C2 composites is successfully synthesized through electrostatic interaction between BiVO4 and Ti3C2 nanosheets. Because the unique 2D/2D heterojunction possesses large interface contact area and quite short charge transport distance, BiVO4/Ti3C2 displays much higher photoexcited carrier transfer and separation efficiency and ultimately exhibits remarkable photocatalytic overall water splitting activity. This work may provide the first experimental confirmation of ultrathin BiVO4 nanosheets with an ability of photocatalytic overall water splitting, and the 2D/2D combination between BiVO4 and Ti3C2 is an effective way for further improving the activity, which may provide guidance for designing efficient water splitting photocatalysts in the future.

Automated summary

The research found that BiVO4 ultrathin nanosheets can simultaneously disintegrate pure water into hydrogen and oxygen under simulated solar light irradiation without sacrificial reagents. A novel 2D/2D BiVO4/Ti3C2 composite was successfully synthesized through electrostatic interaction, showing higher photoexcited carrier transfer and separation efficiency for remarkable photocatalytic overall water splitting activity.