Recent Advances in Diverse MXenes‐Based Structures for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction into Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels

Abstract

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction into renewable hydrocarbon fuels is a green solution to address CO2 emission and energy issues simultaneously. However, the fast recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the sluggish surface reaction kinetics restrict the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The emergence of 2D MXenes has potential in improving the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction, owing to their high electrical conductivity, flexible structural properties, and abundant active sites. Hence, this review will concisely summarize and highlight recent advances of MXenes‐based photocatalysts used in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. First, the synthesis and properties of MXenes is briefly introduced. Second, the mechanism of CO2 photoreduction along with the roles of MXenes in photocatalytic CO2 reduction are summarized, including promoting the adsorption of CO2, enhancing the separation of photo‐induced charge carriers, acting as a robust support, and photothermal effect. Third, different kinds of MXenes‐based photocatalysts such as MXenes/metal oxides, MXenes/nitrides, MXenes/LDH, MXenes/perovskite, and MXene‐derived photocatalysts for CO2 reduction are classified via the type of semiconductors. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are also presented, including exploring suitable MXenes via machine learning, uncovering the structure‐activity relationship by in situ, time‐ and space‐resolved characterization techniques, improving anti‐oxidization ability, and scale‐up applications.

Anchoring of NiCox alloy nanoparticles on nitrogen vacancy-rich carbon nitride nanotubes toward promoting efficiently photocatalytic CO2 conversion into solar fuel

“…Upon proving the availability of NiCo x alloy NPs to promote photocatalytic CO 2 methanation, the mechanism for the crucial intermediate generation in the solar-driven CO 2 reduction process was thus decoded with DFT calculations. As reported in the literature, 62–65 the possible reaction path for photoreduction of CO 2 into CH 4 is proposed as follows: CO 2 → *CO 2 → *COOH → *CO → *CHO → *CH 2 O → *CH 3 O → *CH 4 → CH 4 . In theory, the *COOH intermediate can be further reduced to produce *CO.…”

Advances in MXene surface functionalization modification strategies for CO2 reduction

“…Layered transition metal carbides/nitrides, namely MXenes, as emerging two-dimensional nanomaterials, have a wide range of applications in electrical energy storage, 1,2 optoelectronic functional devices, 3 biomedicine, 4 photo-catalysis, 5 electro-catalysis, 6–12 etc ., compared with graphene, MOFs, and TMDs owing to the unique nanostructures and excellent electrical properties of MXenes. 13–15 The structural formula of MXenes is M n +1 AX n , where M is a transition metal ( e.g.…”

InVO4-Decorated Ti3C2 MXene for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…MXenes, discovered in 2011, display exceptional electrical conductivity, possess numerous active sites, and demonstrate chemical stability, making them promising two-dimensional materials for photocatalytic H 2 evolution. − The optimal utilization of MXene occurs when it is combined with semiconductor materials, resulting in enhanced charge transfer, suppression of carrier recombination, and consequently, improved photocatalytic performance. , Ti 3 C 2 , a renowned MXene, has been extensively studied for its ability to enhance photocatalytic H 2 evolution when combined with semiconductor photocatalysts . Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene and g-C 3 N 4 were created on polystyrene microbeads via electrostatic interaction, enhancing surface area, light absorption, and charge separation efficiency for excellent H 2 production .…”