Photocatalytic reduction of uranium(VI) under visible light with 2D/1D Ti3C2/CdS

Abstract

• Visible-light-driven photoreduction of U(VI) is achieved without any sacrificial agents. • Ti 3 C 2 in 2D/1D Ti 3 C 2 /CdS composites acts as a Janus co-catalyst. • A high U(VI) extraction capacity of 500 mg/g was obtained in 40 min. • The Ti 3 C 2 /CdS composites keep high performance in wide pH range. Herein, for the first time, the visible-light-driven 2D/1D Ti 3 C 2 /CdS nanorods composites were fabricated by electrostatic assembly strategy to achieve efficient uranium(VI) photoreduction without any sacrificial agents. While CdS is the main catalyst, Ti 3 C 2 in the composites acts as a Janus co-catalyst for the photoreduction of uranium(VI), in view of the fact that it can simultaneously enhance the photocatalytic performance and the stability of CdS. With the initial uranium(VI) concentration at 50 ppm, 97% uranium(VI) reduction efficiency was achieved by the optimal Ti 3 C 2 /CdS composites during 40 min visible light irradiation without any sacrificial agents. The kinetic reaction rate reaches as high as 1520 μmol/(g·h). Meanwhile, the Ti 3 C 2 /CdS composites keep high performance regardless of acidic, neutral and alkali conditions. The findings of this work highlight the vast opportunities for Ti 3 C 2 /CdS composites in the treatment of radioactive wastewater.