Emerging architecture titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene based photocatalyst toward degradation of hazardous pollutants: Recent progress and perspectives

MXenes family has aroused marvelous consideration as a frontier photoactive candidate for solar energy transformation and environmental remediation. 2D Ti3C2 exhibit a unique layered microstructure, large surface functional groups (-F, -OH, -O), substantial sorption selectivity, superior reduction efficiency, and electrical conductivity. Electronically conductive Ti3C2Tx with tunable energy band gap (0.92-1.75eV) makes it one of the most potential photoactive materials for photodegradation. The present review paper aims to design cost-effective heterojunctions and Schottky junctions of Ti3C2 with transition metal oxides, sulfides, g-C3N4, and other organic frameworks. The discussion mainly involves different aspects related to its tunable electronic structure, stability problems, and surface morphology control. In addition, the advantages of Ti3C2 in fabricating highly efficient Ti3C2 based catalytic junctions exhibiting suppressed charge carrier recombination are discussed with particular emphasis on their adsorption and redox properties for the removal of toxic dyes, heavy metal ions, and various pharmaceuticals. Finally, current challenges and research directions are outlined and prospected for the future development of Ti3C2 based photocatalytic systems.