RuO2-loaded TiO2–MXene as a high performance photocatalyst for nitrogen fixation.

In this work, we report RuO 2 -loaded TiO 2 –MXene hybrid nanostructure as a promising photocatalyst possessing remarkable activity for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation in water at room temperature. The MXene was synthesized by HF etching of the precursor Ti 3 AlC 2 and used as the substrate for the growth of RuO 2 nanoparticles and TiO 2 through a hydrothermal reaction. The benign activity is mainly attributed to the synergetic effect among MXene, TiO 2 , and RuO 2 in photocatalytic ammonia synthesis by combining light harvesting and nitrogen activation. Image 1 • RuO 2 nanoparticles were hydrothermally loaded onto TiO 2 –Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene hybrid structure. • We explore their photocatalytic properties in reduction of nitrogen into ammonia. • Ultrasmall RuO 2 nanoparticles were hydrothermally synthesized on TiO 2 -loaded MXene. • The hybrid was used in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation under Xe-lamp irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]