Scientific insights into the synthesis and catalytic potential of MXene supported metal sulfides for H2 evolution from water splitting†

Abstract

Photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel is an effective approach to harvest green energy. Reason is that hydrogen is advantageous source that has inherent potential to deliver higher energy relative to the conventional fuels. Increasing demand for sustainable energy sources has obligate the researchers to find efficient catalysts for hydrogen production. Large–scale and sustainable setup demands, that catalysts must be stable, non-toxic and can progressively work in visible light. Current study has comprehensively evaluated the catalytic progress of MXene/metal sulfides (i.e., MXene/MS) catalysts for hydrogen generation application. Due to exceptional catalytic properties i.e., charges conductivity, suitable band position and tunable work function, aforementioned catalysts have been found ideal for hydrogen generation. Moreover, high response on visible–light, porosity, large surface area, and tunable band structures are the advantageous features of these catalysts. On the other hand, MXene cocatalysts have fascinated the significant interest for the scientists and new researchers. Comprehensive evaluation indicated that although surface sensitivity, charge transfer and active sites are crucial factors but synthesis strategies of catalysts have huge impact on the catalytic performances. For the interest of readers; synthesis, catalytic performances along with mechanistic insights have been evaluated and discussed. On the basis of evaluation it has been concluded that along with synthesis design, structural modifications and use of electron conducting cocatalysts are important for the efficient hydrogen evolution.