3D interconnected g-C3N4 hybridized with 2D Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets for enhancing visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and dye contaminant elimination

The g-C3N4 has received extensive attention for its unique properties. However, g-C3N4 still suffers from the intrinsic limitations, which limit its large-scale applications. Hence, it is an urgent requirement to find a high-performance g-C3N4 photocatalyst possesses both a high separation rate of charge carriers and a strong light response. In this work, we have designed a 3D/2D g-C3N4/Ti3C2 (CNTC) heterojunction with a 3D interconnected porous structure as high efficiency photocatalyst for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (Pt as co-catalyst) and contaminant degradation. Benefiting from the 3D interconnected morphology and the incorporation of Ti3C2 nanosheets, the CNTC hybrids exhibit a high specific surface area (85.08 m2 g−1) and highly efficient charge migration, thus leading to excellent catalytic performance for the hydrogen generation and organic dye elimination. In addition, the mechanism of improved photocatalytic performance was analysed by characterization measurements, active species analysis and density functional theory calculations.