MXenes, a class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides, have emerged as promising co-catalysts in Bi-based photocatalytic systems due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and high specific surface area. Recent studies have demonstrated that Ti3C2Tx MXenes, when coupled with Bi2WO6, enhance visible-light absorption by 40% and reduce charge recombination rates by 75%, as evidenced by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The synergistic effect of MXenes' conductive network and Bi2WO6's narrow bandgap (2.7 eV) results in a 3.5-fold increase in photocatalytic degradation efficiency of methylene blue under simulated solar irradiation. Experimental data reveal that the optimized MXene/Bi2WO6 composite achieves a degradation rate constant (k) of 0.045 min−1, compared to 0.013 min−1 for pristine Bi2WO6.
The integration of MXenes with bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX, X = Cl, Br, I) has unlocked new frontiers in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. A recent breakthrough demonstrated that BiOBr/Ti3C2Tx composites exhibit a hydrogen production rate of 12.8 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, which is 4.2 times higher than that of pure BiOBr (3.05 mmol g−1 h−1). This enhancement is attributed to the formation of Schottky junctions at the MXene/BiOBr interface, which facilitate efficient electron transfer and suppress charge recombination. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further reveal that the work function difference between Ti3C2Tx (4.2 eV) and BiOBr (5.8 eV) creates an internal electric field, driving photogenerated electrons toward MXene sheets with minimal energy loss.
MXene/BiVO4 composites have shown remarkable potential for CO2 photoreduction due to their tailored band alignment and enhanced charge separation efficiency. A study reported that Ti3C2Tx/BiVO4 composites achieve a CO production rate of 32.6 μmol g−1 h−1 under AM 1.5G illumination, outperforming pristine BiVO4 by a factor of 3.8 (8.5 μmol g−1 h−1). The incorporation of MXenes not only improves light harvesting but also provides active sites for CO2 adsorption and activation, as confirmed by in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimized composite exhibits a quantum efficiency of 8.7% at 420 nm, highlighting its potential for solar-to-fuel conversion.
The stability and recyclability of MXene/Bi-based composites have been significantly improved through advanced surface engineering strategies. For instance, the encapsulation of Ti3C2Tx with ultrathin Al2O3 layers via atomic layer deposition (ALD) enhances the composite's resistance to oxidation while maintaining its photocatalytic activity over multiple cycles (>95% retention after 10 cycles). Additionally, the introduction of nitrogen-doped carbon layers between MXene and BiFeO3 has been shown to reduce interfacial resistance by 60%, leading to a sustained photocatalytic performance under harsh conditions (pH = 2–12). These advancements pave the way for scalable and durable photocatalysts for industrial applications.
Emerging research on ternary MXene/Bi-based composites has opened new avenues for multi-functional photocatalysis. For example, Ti3C2Tx/Bi2S3/CdS heterostructures exhibit simultaneous H2 production (15.6 mmol g−1 h−1) and pollutant degradation (>90% within 60 min), leveraging the synergistic effects of Z-scheme charge transfer and plasmonic resonance. The optimized ternary system demonstrates a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 9.8%, setting a new benchmark for integrated photocatalytic systems.
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