Highly selective oxidation of biomass-derived alcohols and aromatic alcohols to aldehydes over Ti3C2-TiO2 nanocomposites under visible light.

Ti 3 C 2 T x is a two-dimensional (2D) material belonging to the MXenes family. It has a unique combination of functional features that make it appropriate for a wide range of fascinating applications, including supercapacitors, batteries, strain sensors, photocatalysis, and more. In this study, we report a synthesis of Ti 3 C 2 -TiO 2 nanocomposites with tight interfacial contact that has been successfully fabricated by in situ development of TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets (NSs) via a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal process. The catalysts are well characterized by various sophisticated techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), CHI660E electrochemical workstation, and HRTEM. The photocatalytic performance of pure Ti 3 C 2 Tx, Ti 3 C 2 -TiO 2 (MT1), and Ti 3 C 2 -TiO 2 (MT5) nanocomposites was evaluated by highly selective photo-oxidation of biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol (FA), cinnamyl alcohol, vanillin alcohol, and various aromatic alcohols to the corresponding aldehyde with >99% selectivity for all the alcohol substrates under visible light (385–740 nm). Photocatalytic oxidation results revealed that Ti 3 C 2 -TiO 2 (MT5) has superior photocatalytic activity than Ti 3 C 2 -TiO 2 (MT1) and pure Ti 3 C 2 T x NSs. The exceptional photocatalytic activity was attributed to the composite's unique morphology and characteristics. [Display omitted] • MXene generated TiO 2 (in-situ derived TiO 2 from MXene) was synthesized using simple and green hydrothermal process. • Oxidation of biomass derived alcohols and other aromatic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes with >99 % selectivity. • Conversion, selectivity and yield of furfural, and cinnamaldehyde is >99 %. • MXene can operate as a co-catalyst in the metal-semiconductor contact, which causes an increase in the flow of electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]