MXenes based nano-heterojunctions and composites for advanced photocatalytic environmental detoxification and energy conversion: A review

Sunil Kumar Sharma, Amit Kumar, Gaurav Sharma, Dai Viet N. Vo, Alberto García-Peñas, Omid Moradi, Mika Sillanpää

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Extensive research is being done to develop multifunctional advanced new materials for high performance photocatalytic applications in the field of energy production and environmental detoxification, MXenes have emerged as promising materials for enhancing photocatalytic performance owing to their excellent mechanical properties, appropriate Fermi levels, and adjustability of chemical composition. Numerous experimental and theoretical research works implied that the dimensions of MXenes have a significant impact on their performance. For photocatalysis to thrive in the future, we must understand the current state of the art for MXene in different dimensions. Using MXene co-catalysts in widely used in photocatalytic applications such as CO2 reduction, hydrogen production and organic pollutant oxidation, this study focuses on the most recent developments in MXenes based materials, structural modifications, innovations in reaction and material engineering. It has been reported that using 5 mg of CdS–MoS2-MXene researchers were able to generate as high as 9679 μmol/g/h hydrogen under visible light. The MXenes based heterojunction photocatalyst Co3O4/MXene was utilized to degrade 95% bisphenol A micro-pollutant in just 7 min. Numerous novel materials, their preparations and performances have been discussed. Depending upon the nature of MXene-based materials, the synthesis techniques and photocatalytic mechanism of MXenes as co-catalyst are also summarized. Finally, some final thoughts and prospects for developing highly efficient MXene-based photocatalysts are provided which will indeed motivate researchers to design novel hybrid materials based on MXenes for sustainable solutions to energy and pollution issues.

Original languageEnglish
Article number132923
JournalChemosphere
Volume291
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Energy conversion
  • Hazardous pollutants
  • MXenes
  • Photocatalysis
  • Water pollution

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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