Efficient photocatalytic degradation of aqueous organic pollutants by using an advanced TiO2/Ti3C2/montmorillonite composites

Abstract

In recent times, a substantial volume of effluents containing diverse organic contaminants, encompassing organic dyes and agrochemicals, has been discharged into aquatic ecosystems, precipitating pronounced ecological perturbations, thus manifesting as a critical concern. Photocatalytic degradation technology has emerged as a robust and efficacious approach for the remediation of aqueous contaminants. Herein, the TiO2/Ti3C2/MMT composites were synthesized via typical hydrothermal and calcination procedures and applied to the degradation of hazardous dye methylene blue (MB). The TiO2/Ti3C2/MMT hybrid demonstrated a pronounced photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 87.2% for the hazardous methylene blue (MB) when exposed to visible-light for 120-minutes timeframe. This efficiency was approximately 3.69 times greater than the degradation rate observed with pristine TiO2. This substantial enhancement is attributed to the synergistic interplay between the TiO2/Ti3C2 Schottky junction and montmorillonite-induced charge repulsion, which, in concert, bolster the charge transfer capabilities of the photocatalyst while simultaneously suppressing the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. This study not only presents an alternative material for the effective degradation of organic dyes but also holds promise for advanced applications in wastewater treatment.