Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Contaminants Using Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene-Supported CdS Quantum Dots.

The synthesis of efficient and stable catalysts for photocatalytic reactions is still a challenge. In this study, a new photocatalyst composed of two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) and CdS quantum dots (QDs) was fabricated, in which CdS QDs were intimately anchored on the Ti 3 C 2 T x sheet surface. Due to the specific interface characteristics of CdS QDs/Ti 3 C 2 T x , Ti 3 C 2 T x can considerably facilitate the generation of photogenerated charge carriers, their separation, and their transfer from CdS. As expected, the obtained CdS QDs/Ti 3 C 2 T x exhibit outstanding photocatalytic performance for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation. Moreover, the quenching experiments demonstrated that superoxide radicals ( • O 2 - ), H 2 O 2 , 1 O 2 , and • OH are the reactive species involved in CBZ degradation, while • O 2 - made a major contribution. In addition, the sunlight-driven CdS QDs/Ti 3 C 2 T x photocatalytic system is widely suitable for the elimination of different emerging pollutants in various water matrices, suggesting its potential practical environmental applications.