Pioneering Exploration of Mo₂AlB₂‐Transition‐Metal‐Aluminum‐Boron‐Phase‐Supported Hydrophobic SrTiO₃/Mo₂AlB₂ Nanocomposite for Improved Photocatalytic Carbendazim Degradation and CO₂ Reduction to Ethanol through the Schottky Junction

Abstract

The global environmental and energy challenges necessitate the development of multifunctional materials that can address both pollutant removal and solar fuel production. In this groundbreaking study, we introduce the utilization of the Mo2AlB2 MAB phase as a co‐catalyst in the SrTiO3/Mo2AlB2 nanocomposite, marking the first instance of its application in photocatalytic approaches to combat environmental and energy crises. A nanocomposite of SrTiO3/Mo2AlB2 was prepared by ultrasound‐assisted self‐assembly of SrTiO3 nanocubes with crystal‐layered Mo2AlB2. The optimized catalyst denoted as STO@5‐MAB, was subjected to comprehensive characterization to evaluate its physiochemical properties. Remarkably, the STO@5‐MAB composite demonstrated exceptional performance in both photocatalytic carbendazim (CBZ) degradation, achieving an impressive degradation of 87.5% and CO2 reduction to ethanol with a rate of 9.96 mmol g‐1 h‐1 under visible light illumination. This outstanding performance can be attributed to the composite’s 1) hydrophobicity 2) enhanced light absorption, and 3) the formation of a Schottky junction at the interface, facilitating efficient charge separation. In conclusion, the SrTiO3/Mo2AlB2 nanocomposite demonstrates immense potential in addressing pressing environmental and energy challenges through photocatalytic carbendazim degradation and CO2 reduction to ethanol. This study underscores the pivotal role of Mo2AlB2 in developing efficient photocatalysts for environmental and energy applications.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.