Interfacial Self-Assembly-Induced Lattice Distortion in Ti3C2 for Enhanced Piezocatalytic Activity

Herein, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are constructed on the surface of Ti₃C₂ MXene to improve its environmental stability and piezocatalytic activity. Ti₃C₂/SAMs-X (X = H, Cl, and NH₂) was prepared to enhance the piezocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and hydrogen production. Surface-treated Ti₃C₂ exhibits different lattice parameters and symmetry, thus leading to an increased polarization. The presence of polar functional groups in SAMs remarkably increases the surface potential of Ti₃C₂, thereby promoting the migration of piezoelectric electrons. Ti₃C₂/SAMs-NH₂ exhibits the highest piezocatalytic performance, thus improving BPA removal and H₂ generation by 7 and 1.8 times, respectively. In addition, Ti₃C₂/SAMs-NH₂ remained stable under 100% relative humidity for 15 days. Therefore, it provides a facile strategy for modulating piezocatalytic properties through interfacial self-assembly-induced lattice distortion.