Boosting hydrogen evolution with MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-modified CdS: A Synergistic Approach to Visible-light Photocatalytic Water Splitting

CdS/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x ternary composite photocatalyst with a unique nanorod structure was prepared by simple ultrasonication and wet impregnation method. The properties of the ternary composite photocatalyst are investigated via XRD, UV–vis, SEM, EDS, FTIR, BET, and PL spectroscopy. XRD analysis of the prepared photocatalyst using standard JCPDS card number indicates that they exhibit pure single phase without any impurity. Characteristics absorption bands of CdS, MoS₂, Ti₃C₂T_x MXene were clearly observed in the FTIR spectra, further establishing the purity of the prepared photocatalyst. The CdS/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructure did not only effectively suppress the rate of recombination of photogenerated holes and electrons, but also provides more active sites, which enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. The CdS/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructure with 4 wt% Ti₃C₂T_x loading has a maximum hydrogen production rate of 123520 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹, which is 20.5 times those of the pure CdS. The resulting composite maintains an elevated photocatalytic activity within 4 cycles of run.