Ti3C2TX MXene supported ZnO nanocomposites with highly efficient photocatalytic performance for degradation of VOCs

Photocatalytic degradation is an eco-friendly technology for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal, but searching for a highly efficient photocatalyst system remains a challenge. Here, a novel photocatalyst , ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T X composite, was developed by the electrostatic deposition strategy, wherein Ti 3 C 2 T X nanosheets serve as a support to provide abundant surface-active sites for loading ZnO spheres and adsorbing VOC molecules. Furthermore, successive catalytic centers are formed to enlarge the photocatalytic reaction interface , thereby minimizing the photogenerated electron transfer distances. Moreover, a Schottky heterojunction was successfully formed between the ZnO spheres and Ti 3 C 2 T X nanosheets , which further suppressed the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. As a result, the ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T X composite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity , universality and stability in VOCs degradation. The photodegradation efficiencies of formaldehyde, methyl alcohol and acetone were as high as 91 %, 84 % and 80 % by ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T X composite, respectively. The pseudo-first-order kinetic constant of formaldehyde decomposition on ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T X was 2.69 times greater than that on pristine ZnO. This work presents a novel photocatalyst system of ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T X composite and provides an insight for the development of highly efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of VOCs.