Utilization of recycled materials for low-cost MXene synthesis and fabrication of graphite/MXene composite for enhanced water desalination performance

Abstract

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential to human health, economic progress, and ecological stability. Advanced materials have emerged to advance water treatment processes, particularly desalination, but are associated with the major challenge of being fabricated through environmentally taxing mining processes, which contributes to the carbon footprint. This study explores an innovative approach of using a renewable carbon-rich material derived from waste to create MXene nanocomposites that are applied to improve water thermal desalination. The synthesis of MXenes from recycled materials involves a series of chemical and exfoliation procedures, resulting in the production of two-dimensional nanosheets with exceptional electrical and mechanical properties. The integration of biomass offers a sustainable alternative to traditional precursors used for MXene preparation and introduces unique functional groups onto the MXene surface, which enhances its ability to absorb substances. This nanocomposite successfully produced solar evaporation rates of up to 3.0 kg m−2h−1 with 96.03 % solar steam conversion efficiency under single solar irradiation (1 sun). Through extensive characterization of SEM, FESEM, EDX, XRD, BET, contact angle, and performance assessments of desalination and water quality by ICP-OES, this study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms driving the improved water desalination capabilities of MXene composites. The composite materials show great mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical stability against acidic, alkali, and concentrated salty conditions. Mechanical robustness is the key advantage of this work. The findings underscore the importance of sustainable material utilization and highlight the potential of MXene composites as next-generation solutions for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly water desalination technologies.