Dye adsorption and decomposition on two-dimensional titanium carbide in aqueous media

Abstract

Recently a large family of two-dimensional (2D) layered early transition metal carbides and carbonitrides – labelled MXene – possessing metallic conductivity and hydrophilic surfaces was discovered. Herein we report on the adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of organic molecules in aqueous environments containing Ti₃C₂T_x, a representative of the MXene family. This material possesses excellent adsorption toward cationic dyes, best described by a Freundlich isotherm. We also found that the material may undergo structural changes in aqueous media.