Comparative Study of Ti3C2Tx MXene Synthesized via HF and LiF-HCl Etching: Structural, Optical, and Photocatalytic Insights

Abstract Two-dimensional MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) was successfully synthesized from the Ti 3 AlC 2 MAX phase using two different etching elements such as hydrofluoric acid (HF) and an amalgamation of lithium fluoride (LiF) with hydrochloric acid (HCl). The crystallinity, morphology, elemental composition, surface functionalization, and optical properties of the obtained Ti 3 C 2 T x were systematically analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). The analysis confirms that the etching process eliminates the Al layer successfully, forming a multilayered MXene structure with a high degree of exfoliation and surface functionalization. The optical bandgap was assessed as 1.4 eV and 2 eV for Ti 3 C 2 T x (HF) and Ti 3 C 2 T x (HCl), respectively, which shows their suitability for photocatalytic applications. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was assessed using Ti 3 C 2 T x (HF) and Ti 3 C 2 T x (HCl) under visible light irradiation, demonstrating efficient dye removal due to enhanced light absorption for the formation of electron–hole pair. The calculated rate constants for MB degradation using Ti 3 C 2 T x (HF), Ti 3 C 2 T x (HCl), and without any photocatalyst were 0.04357 min⁻ 1 , 0.00389 min⁻ 1 , and 0.00045 min⁻ 1 , respectively. However, Ti 3 C 2 T x (HF) shows highest degradation efficiency and can be reuseable up to multiple cycles. Comparative analysis of the two etching methods exhibited variations in structural integrity, surface chemistry, and photocatalytic efficiency. This study highlights the potential of Ti 3 C 2 T x (HF) as a valuable photocatalyst for environmental remediation. Graphical Abstract

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