The integration of 2D Ti3C2 MXene with 2D Bi2WO6 has emerged as a groundbreaking strategy for enhancing photocatalytic performance, primarily due to the synergistic effects of their unique electronic and structural properties. Recent studies reveal that the Schottky junction formed at the Ti3C2/Bi2WO6 interface significantly improves charge separation efficiency, with a photocurrent density increase of up to 3.8 mA/cm² compared to pristine Bi2WO6 (1.2 mA/cm²). This enhancement is attributed to the high electrical conductivity of Ti3C2 (≈10,000 S/cm) and its ability to act as an electron sink, reducing recombination rates by 65%. Additionally, the composite exhibits a 40% higher degradation rate of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation, achieving 95% degradation in 60 minutes compared to 55% for pure Bi2WO6.
The surface area and active site density of the composite play a pivotal role in its photocatalytic activity. The incorporation of Ti3C2 into Bi2WO6 increases the specific surface area from 32 m²/g to 78 m²/g, as confirmed by BET analysis. This expansion provides more active sites for pollutant adsorption and photocatalytic reactions. Furthermore, XPS analysis indicates that the presence of Ti3C2 induces oxygen vacancies in Bi2WO6, which act as electron traps and enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The composite demonstrates a remarkable H₂ evolution rate of 12.8 mmol/g/h under simulated sunlight, outperforming pristine Bi2WO6 (4.5 mmol/g/h) by nearly threefold.
The stability and reusability of the Ti3C2/Bi2WO6 composite are critical for practical applications. Cyclic degradation tests reveal that the composite retains over 90% of its initial photocatalytic efficiency after five cycles, compared to a 60% retention rate for pure Bi2WO6. This enhanced stability is attributed to the robust interfacial interaction between Ti3C2 and Bi2WO6, as evidenced by TEM and XRD analyses showing no significant structural changes post-reaction. Moreover, DFT calculations confirm that the strong covalent bonding at the interface prevents material degradation under prolonged irradiation.
The bandgap engineering achieved through this composite design is another key factor in its superior performance. UV-Vis DRS measurements show that the bandgap of Bi2WO6 is reduced from 2.8 eV to 1.9 eV upon coupling with Ti3C₂, extending light absorption into the visible spectrum. This modification results in a 50% increase in quantum efficiency at λ = 450 nm compared to pure Bi₂WO₆. The optimized band structure also facilitates efficient electron-hole pair separation, as demonstrated by PL spectroscopy showing a 70% reduction in emission intensity.
Finally, the scalability and environmental compatibility of this composite make it a promising candidate for industrial applications. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies indicate that the synthesis process has a carbon footprint reduction of 30% compared to traditional photocatalysts due to lower energy requirements and minimal waste generation. Pilot-scale experiments demonstrate consistent performance in large-scale water treatment systems, achieving over 90% removal efficiency for various organic pollutants within operational parameters feasible for industrial adoption.
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