Positioning MXenes in the Photocatalysis Landscape: Competitiveness, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

MXenes are becoming a worthy contender for boosting the efficacy of semiconductor photocatalysts because of their rich surface and electronic properties, which is exemplified to be a dynamic yet open‐ended exploration of the materials space. Herein, the promise that MXenes hold for photocatalytic applications is elucidated by presenting the various roles of MXenes in the preparation of composite photocatalysts and enhancing their activity and stability. A specific focus is put on the key issues that should be taken into account when utilizing the specific function of MXenes and the strategies to deliver the great potential of MXenes into better play. The discussion is based on different aspects closely related to the flexible surface and electronic features of MXenes, including their morphology control, stability issue, and electronic structure mutability with the purpose to present an objective and comprehensive scenario of MXenes for photocatalysis. Finally, some noteworthy research directions for the future development of MXenes‐based photocatalytic systems are outlined and prospected. This review is expected to provide a useful scaffold for the rational design and synthesis of efficient and stable MXenes‐based photocatalysts by objectively understanding and taming the functional vitality of MXenes.

Recent Advance in the Fabrication of 2D and 3D Metal Carbides-Based Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications

“…Recently, significant progress in the conversion of 2D MXene-based photocatalysts into solar fuels, reasonable design and specific effects of MXene photocatalysts for the production of photocatalytic solar fuels have been reported [ 82 ]. For example, Xie et al [ 83 ] introduced various roles of MXene in preparing composite photocatalysts and improving their activity and stability, clarified their application prospects in photocatalysis, and provided beneficial basis for the rational design and synthesis of efficient and stable MXene-based photocatalysts. It was found that the performance of the layered nanostructure MXene in environmental and energy photocatalysis is amazing, especially those composite materials hybridized with MXene fully demonstrating the excellent characteristics of this special structure [ 83 ].…”

“…For example, Xie et al [ 83 ] introduced various roles of MXene in preparing composite photocatalysts and improving their activity and stability, clarified their application prospects in photocatalysis, and provided beneficial basis for the rational design and synthesis of efficient and stable MXene-based photocatalysts. It was found that the performance of the layered nanostructure MXene in environmental and energy photocatalysis is amazing, especially those composite materials hybridized with MXene fully demonstrating the excellent characteristics of this special structure [ 83 ]. At present, MXene composite materials have been applied to the research of dye-sensitized photocatalysis.…”

Application of MXenes in environmental remediation technologies

“…The transformation of 2D layered MXenes into 3D macroscopic hydrogel has recently shown tremendous photocatalysis potential [ 70 , 71 ]. When MXenes are assembled into hydrogel systems, they offer exciting and versatile platforms to design MXene-based soft materials with tunable properties [ 72 ].…”

Electrostatically confined Bi/Ti3C2Txon a sponge as an easily recyclable and durable catalyst for the reductive transformation of nitroarenes

“…30,31 MXenes represent 2D metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides with the formula of M n+1 X n T x , where n ¼ 1, 2, 3, and 4, M represents transition metals, X corresponds to carbon and/or nitrogen, and T x stands for terminal groups. [32][33][34][35] The large surface area, rich surface groups, and opportune stability towards redox surroundings make 2D MXenes competent for assembling nanometals to achieve reinforced aqueous catalytic activity. [36][37][38][39] Hitherto, the anchoring of Bi nanoparticles on MXenes for catalyzing NaBH 4 to hydrogenate nitroarenes remains to be explored.…”