In situ preparation and photocatalytic performance of Ti3C2/TiO2 nanocomposite in the degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue.

Ti₃C₂/TiO₂ nanocomposites with high photocatalytic performance are prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology, microstructure and phase composition of the composites are analyzed and characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic properties of pure TiO₂, Ti₃C₂ and Ti₃C₂/TiO₂ nanocomposites are evaluated using ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-VIS-NIR, UV-3600) spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic properties of pure TiO₂, Ti₃C₂ and Ti₃C₂/TiO₂ nanocomposites are investigated by using a 500 W xenon lamp to simulate the degradation of organic pollutants under sunlight. Under visible light irradiation, as for Ti₃C₂/TiO₂, the electron and hole are separated more effectively than that of pure TiO₂ and Ti₃C₂ and thus exhibit better photocatalytic performance than TiO₂ and Ti₃C₂. In addition, Ti₃C₂/TiO₂ nanocomposites are heat-treated at different temperatures. The results show that Ti₃C₂/TiO₂-350 obtained by heat treatment at 350 °C exhibits preferable photocatalytic performance and more efficient electron-hole separation behavior than pure TiO₂ and Ti₃C₂. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]