MXene based nanoarchitectures for organic contaminants degradation under sonophotocatalytic environment: eco-friendly synthesis, catalytic attributes and recent advancements

Abstract

The 6^th and 12^th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focus on reducing environmental pollution and improving sanitation through responsible production and consumption. However, current wastewater treatment technologies fall short, with projections indicating that up to 4.8 billion people may face health issues due to inadequate water purification by 2030. Preventing environmental problems is more effective than addressing their consequences. Hybrid advanced oxidation processes (h-AOPs), such as sonophotocatalysis, offer a sustainable and efficient method for catalytic conversion, decomposing environmental toxins in water without secondary pollution. Recently, MXene-based nanocatalysts have attracted attention due to their unique properties, including high surface area, excellent adsorption capabilities, and internal electric fields, making them ideal for AOP-related applications. This review comprehensively discusses the synergistic benefits of sonophotocatalysis for the degradation of various organic pollutants, sustainable synthesis routes for MXene and its precursor (MAX) and their alignment with SDG targets. We have reviewed various reports on MXene-based nanocatalysts for contaminant mineralization, systematically tabulated recent advancements. The optical properties and heterojunction-driven charge carrier migration were discussed with respect to novel MXene-based nanocomposites. Finally, future perspectives on MXene-based nanoarchitectures, synergistic ultrasonic approaches and greener approaches to minimize secondary pollution are outlined to support effective AOP-assisted wastewater treatment.