MXene-based photocatalysts

Abstract Several strategies and numerous porous materials have been developed for photocatalysis, such as nanosilicas, TiO2, zeolites, nanocomposites, and graphene. Recently, the migration and separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs have been greatly improved with MXenes catalysts. They have suitable properties: large surface area, high electrical conductivity, abundant and highly active surface sites, and good adsorption capabilities. Furthermore, MXenes are semiconducting with high sunlight absorption and they have been applied as catalysts and/or catalyst support for photocatalytic reactions. Recently, several review papers on application of MXenes in semiconductors, hydrogen storage, dye-sensitized solar cells, supercapacitors, sensors, and lithium-ion batteries have been published. Theoretical simulations have predicted a large number of MXenes, but the readily available catalysts are few yet. Here, based on this fact, we focus in detail the recent research progress on MXenes catalysts in photocatalysis with highlight on the main challenges in the future to explore the full potential of these catalytic systems. In this chapter, the properties, structural organization, advantages, and limitations of MXenes catalysts will be discussed for water splitting and environmental pollutant degradations.