Engineering MAB mediated In3+/MoAlB/TiO2 nanocomposite with synergistic effect of In3+/MAB for solar driven seawater splitting to produce hydrogen

Photocatalytic seawater splitting is a promising route for solar hydrogen production, but many efficient photocatalysts rely on costly or scarce metals. Here, a novel molybdenum aluminum boride (MoAlB) MAB phase was used as a cocatalyst to develop In 3+ /MoAlB/TiO 2 nanocomposite for seawater splitting to produce hydrogen. The optimized composite achieved significantly higher H 2 yield than TiO 2 alone, owing to enhanced charge separation, increased active sites, and improved light absorption. The synergistic effect of In 3+ and MAB further promotes charge separation, leading to a substantial increase in the H 2 evolution rate. The highest H 2 yield of 6706 μmol g −1 was achieved using the sol-gel method due to good interface interaction which is five times higher than wet-impregnated approach. Among sacrificial agents, glycerol produced highest H 2 yield of 21,932 μmol g −1 , 3.27 times higher than using methanol. This work demonstrates the potential of MAB-phase materials as cost-effective, non-noble-metal cocatalysts for photocatalytic seawater splitting for hydrogen production.