The integration of Ti3C2 MXene with BiOBr has emerged as a groundbreaking strategy to enhance photocatalytic efficiency, primarily due to the exceptional electrical conductivity and large surface area of Ti3C2. Recent studies have demonstrated that Ti3C2/BiOBr composites exhibit a 3.2-fold increase in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light compared to pristine BiOBr, achieving a degradation efficiency of 98.7% within 60 minutes. This enhancement is attributed to the formation of a Schottky junction at the Ti3C2/BiOBr interface, which facilitates efficient charge separation and reduces electron-hole recombination rates by 78.5%. The specific surface area of the composite was measured at 89.6 m²/g, significantly higher than that of BiOBr alone (42.3 m²/g), providing more active sites for photocatalytic reactions.
The role of Ti3C2 in modulating the band structure of BiOBr has been extensively investigated, revealing a reduction in the bandgap from 2.87 eV to 2.34 eV upon composite formation. This narrowing enables broader light absorption, extending into the near-infrared region (up to 800 nm), which is critical for harnessing solar energy more effectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the introduction of Ti3C2 induces mid-gap states, lowering the conduction band minimum by 0.53 eV and enhancing electron mobility by 45%. Experimental results show that the composite achieves a hydrogen evolution rate of 12.8 µmol/h under simulated sunlight, outperforming pure BiOBr (4.2 µmol/h) by a factor of 3.
The stability and recyclability of Ti3C2/BiOBr composites have been rigorously tested, with results indicating minimal performance degradation over five consecutive cycles (retaining 94.6% efficiency). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that the chemical states of Ti³⁺ and Br⁻ remain stable after prolonged exposure to light, confirming the robustness of the composite structure. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements show a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance from 1,256 Ω for BiOBr to 487 Ω for the composite, further validating its superior charge transport properties.
The application potential of Ti3C2/BiOBr composites extends beyond organic pollutant degradation to include CO₂ photoreduction and antibacterial activity. In CO₂ reduction experiments, the composite achieved a methane production rate of 28.7 µmol/g·h under visible light irradiation, which is 4.1 times higher than that of BiOBr alone (7 µmol/g·h). Moreover, antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli demonstrated a remarkable inhibition rate of 99.3% within 120 minutes, attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation facilitated by enhanced charge separation.
Future research directions for Ti3C2/BiOBr composites focus on optimizing their synthesis parameters and exploring their scalability for industrial applications. Recent advances in hydrothermal synthesis have enabled precise control over layer thickness and interface quality, resulting in composites with tailored photocatalytic properties. Pilot-scale studies indicate that these materials can be integrated into continuous-flow reactors with minimal efficiency loss (<5%), paving the way for their deployment in large-scale environmental remediation and energy conversion systems.
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