Highly-efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H evolution integrated with microplastic degradation over MXene/ZnCdS photocatalyst.

The development of highly-efficient photocatalyst for H production integrated with microplastic degradation is significant to meet the demand for clean energy and resolve "white pollution". Herein, a series of MXene/ZnCdS photocatalysts were successfully fabricated for H evolution integrated with degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The resultant photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance, and the best photocatalytic H evolution rate can reach 14.17 mmol·g·h in alkaline PET alkaline solution. What's more, the PET was also converted to the useful organic micromolecule, including glycolate, acetate, ethanol, etc. The highly-efficient photocatalytic performance of MXene/ZnCdS photocatalysts can be attributed to the enhanced separation ability of photocarriers and optimum band structure with enhanced oxidation capacity of valence band. Finally, the photocatalytic mechanism was investigated in detail. Overall, this work supplied a new useful guidance for solving the energy problem and microplastic pollution issues, simultaneously.