MXene, a novel two-dimensional (2D) material, has been applied for the removal of dye molecules from wastewater; owing to its ability to stack into unique interlayer permeation channels. However, the narrow interlayer permeation channels of MXene limit its high permeability, and the dye contaminants tend to block the channels on the membrane surface as well as between the laminae. In view of this, CdS quantum dots (QDs) were incorporated with photocatalytic ability into the MXene channels, and the fabricated CdS QDs@MXene/PVDF photocatalytic composite membrane had high separation efficiency by using PVDF polymer as the support layer. The results manifested that; the CdS QDs were homogeneously dispersed in the MXene separation layer, and the introduction of CdS QDs optimized the interlayer permeation channels of MXene, with permeate flux of 502.6 L·m−2·h−1. The composite membrane exhibited an excellent removal of Congo red and Rhodamine B (CR and Rh B) dyes under the coupling of membrane separation and photocatalytic process, with the optimal removal ratio of 97.3 % for CR and 98.5 % for Rh B, respectively. Moreover, the CdS QDs endowed the membrane with self-cleaning ability, superior permeability and selectivity under five consecutive photocatalytic cycles, demonstrating the great in-situ resistance to contamination. After five intermittent cycles, the dye retention rate still exceeded 90 % and the permeate flux reached 388.0 L·m−2·h−1. This study provides an exceptional reference for quantum dots modified two-dimensional MXene membranes.