Nanolayered Ti3C2 and SrTiO3 Composites for Photocatalytic Reduction and Removal of Uranium(VI)

Given its promising electron transportation ability, excellent electrical conductivity, and larger work function (6.2 eV) disclosed by density functional theory calculations, MXene material, O-terminated Ti 3 C 2 has the potential to serve as a perfect cocatalyst. Herein, a novel Ti 3 C 2 /SrTiO 3 heterostructure based on partly superficial oxidation from precursor multilayered Ti 3 C 2 is developed as a photocatalyst for efficiently photocatalytic reduction and removal of U(VI). Specifically, the composite of 2 wt % Ti 3 C 2 /SrTiO 3 (0.02 Ti 3 C 2 /SrTiO 3 ) exhibits an excellent photocatalytic UO 2 2+ removal rate of 77%, which is nearly 38 times higher than that of the pristine SrTiO 3 . The enhanced photocatalytic performance of 0.02 Ti 3 C 2 /SrTiO 3 is systematically identified by photoluminescence spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical characterizations. The multilayered Ti 3 C 2 as a cocatalyst can facilitate the charge transportation and inhibit the recombination of electrons in the conduction band. This work establishes the enticing potential for developing doped perovskite oxide crystals based on the MXene Ti 3 C 2 with sun-light responsivity for improving solar energy utilization.