A novel two-dimensional accordion-like titanium carbide (MXene) for adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

• Main Authors: Yi Tang, Chenhui Yang, Wenxiu Que
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: World Scientific Publishing 2018-10-01
• Series: Journal of Advanced Dielectrics
• Subjects: Two-dimensional material; MXene; multilayer structure; adsorption
• Online Access: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/S2010135X18500352

Herein, we report on a novel two-dimensional (2D) material application, which shows that an accordion-like layered Ti3C2 nanomaterial (MXene) with an excellent adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was prepared by etching Al layer from Ti3AlC2 phase in hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. Ti3C2 nanopowders were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the physical property of as-obtained samples was studied by UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). After HF treatment, Ti3AlC2 not only has a phase transition from one crystal to another, but surprisingly, its microstructure is also undergoing an obvious change. Ti3C2 with product of change possesses an accordion-like multilayer structure, and a relatively higher specific surface area (SSA) than untreated Ti3AlC2. Then, accordion-like Ti3C2 with a high SSA provides abundant active sites for pollutant removal and functionalization. Accordion-like Ti3C2 nanomaterial exhibits a stable adsorption capacity, and 1g as-prepared accordion-like Ti3C2 powders can remove about 80mg potassium dichromate. Therefore, the results suggest that 2D MXenes are promising as an effective nanoadsorbent in heavy metal removal from the wastewater.