Research progress on controllable preparation of TiO₂/MXene nanocomposites and applications in photocatalysis and electrochemistry

Abstract

TiO2 nanomaterials have many disadvantages,including high photo-generated electron-hole recombination rate, low electron mobility, poor electrical conductivity and low reversible capacity, which have restricted application in the fields of photocatalysis and electrochemistry. MXene (Mn+1XnTx), a new type of two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides, has a unique two-dimensional layer structure, excellent electrical conductivity, and high carrier mobility. By introducing MXene into TiO2 nanomaterials to construct the TiO2/MXene nanocomposites, the synergistic effect of MXene and TiO2 can further improve photocatalysis and electrochemistry properties. From the perspective of TiO2 nanomaterials, the latest research progress on the controllable preparation, structural properties, applications in photocatalysis and electrochemistry of zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional TiO2 with MXene nanocomposites were reviewed. In particular, the construction mechanism of namocomposites and the enhancement mechanism of photocatalysis and electrochemistry properties of TiO2 by MXene were emphasized. The shortcomings of the existing research on preparation of TiO2/MXene composites and its applications in photocatalysis and electrochemistry were analyzed.Furthermore,the future research directions of TiO2/MXene composites from the aspects of optimizing the preparation process,improving the properties and exploring the property enhancement mechanism were also prospected.

Keywords

• tio₂/mxene nanocomposite
• tio₂ nanomaterial
• mxene
• photocatalysis
• electrochemistry