Photocatalytic H2 production over S-scheme Co3Se4/TiO2 nanosheet with super-hydrophilic surface

Photocatalytic H-2 evolution represents a sustainable technology to acquire green energy via a solar energy conversion process. The development of photocatalysts with simple preparation and superior activity is still highly desired. In this work, the H-2 evolution activities of cobalt selenide (Co3Se4) microspheres decorated TiO2 were investigated for the first time. The 25 wt% Co3Se4/TiO2 hybrid delivers an optimum H-2 production rate of 6065 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1) in 20 vol% TEOA under 300 W Xe lamp irradiation, which is 12.5 and 13.4 times that of pristine TiO2 (484 mu mol.g(- 1).h(-1)) and pure Co3Se4 (453 mu mol.g(- 1).h(-1)), respectively. The enhanced activity benefits from the S-scheme heterojunction formed between Co3Se4 and TiO2, which can obviously promote the separation of charge carriers and reduce the overpotential of H-2 generation. Besides, the surface composition of the sample after reaction was revealed through XRD, TEM, XPS and water contact angle measurements, the results show that the microstructure of the composite sample remains unchanged after reaction, and a thin oxide or hydroxide layer was in-situ formed on the surface of Co3Se4, leading to a super-hydrophilic surface of Co3Se4/TiO2 and endowing with long reaction stability. This work broadens the application of Co3Se4 in energy conversion and provides a promising option to replace traditional noble metal photocatalysts.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the efficient H-2 evolution by decorating cobalt selenide (Co3Se4) microspheres on TiO2, and achieves both high activity and stability for hydrogen production.