Developing efficient, binder-free 3D porous Ti3C2Tx-MXene electrodes for enhanced capacitive deionization towards desalination

Abstract

Research and design of high-performance Faraday electrode have always been a key to enhance the desalination performance of membrane capacitive deionization. This study developed a binder-free 3D porous Ti3C2Tx-MXene electrode by depositing Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanosheets uniformly onto the graphite electrodes through electrophoretic deposition, followed by a straightforward liquid‑nitrogen freezing and vacuum drying. Uniform-interconnected and conductive network structure of the electrode provided abundant active sites and promoted efficient ion diffusion and transport rate. High pseudocapacitance (287 F/g) and large surface area (16.4 m2 g−1) of the 3D porous electrode led to excellent desalination performance (59 mg g−1) and rapid desalination rate (0.55 mg g−1 s−1), substantially outperforming the conventional coated electrodes. This research provided technical support for the rapid development of capacitive deionization technology towards high-efficient desalination.