Construct of Ti3C2Tx/cellulose acetate composite films with a highly efficient removal of Cu2+ in wastewater via electrochemical adsorption method

Cu 2+ -containing wastewater causes serious risks to environmental and human health, necessitating efficient Cu 2+ removal. The electrosorption has present a promising alternative pattern in the field of wastewater treatment containing metal ions, however, it is still a challenge to develop appropriate electrode materials to efficiently remove Cu 2+ in wastewater. Thus, the Ti 3 C 2 T x /cellulose acetate composite films were prepared by incorporating less-layered Ti 3 C 2 T x into cellulose acetate matrix via a casting method in this work. Their morphology, microstructure, electrochemical performances and adsorption mechanism were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, electrochemical workstation, Lagergren and pseudo-second order kinetic models, Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models. These results showed that less-layered Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets were stacked orderly in the composite films where cellulose acetate filled the interlayer space and then expanded this spacing. The sample of CT-1 had the highest specific surface area of 3.83 m 2 /g with the average pore size of 16.86 nm. Additionally, the sample of CT-3 had the highest specific capacitance. Interestingly, the sample of CT-2 with moderate specific surface area, average pore size and specific capacitance exhibited the maximum electrosorption capacity of 3.39 mg/g at an applied voltage of 1.0 V in a 10 mg/L CuSO 4 solution, corresponding to a removal efficiency of 21.55 %. The adsorption process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model, indicating that it was dominated by monolayer chemisorption. Therefore, these findings demonstrate the successful development of Ti 3 C 2 T x /cellulose acetate composite films as novel electrosorption materials, providing a viable strategy for wastewater treatment containing Cu 2+ that aligns with environmental sustainability objectives.