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MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis
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MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 3131

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hui Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
Interests: catalysis technology in the petrochemical and coal chemical industries; resource utilization of chemical waste; catalytic conversion of biomass energy
Prof. Dr. Ioannis Konstantinou

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: photocatalysis; photolytic processes in the environment; photodegradation pathways; identification of phototransformation products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Transition metal carbides and/or nitrides of two-dimensional materials, also known as MXenes, are emerging as new advanced materials owing to their unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, abundant surface functional groups, and stability. Currently, there are over 40 types of MXenes that can be synthesized in the laboratory. MXenes have found extensive applications in various fields, including catalysis. Two predominant roles of MXenes in catalysis are as catalyst carriers or as catalysts themselves. The photothermal catalytic performance of MXene materials is a critical factor in their multisource energy conversion and catalytic applications. Due to MXene’s remarkable light absorption capacity, it is crucial to explore the contributions of photothermal generation or photocatalytic–thermocatalytic synergistic effects. Of course, MXenes have demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic performance in hydrogen production. Moreover, MXenes exhibit promising applications in thermal catalysis, such as dehydrogenation and oxidation.

This Special Issue, entitled ‘MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis’, will focus on the latest research progress of MXenes-based composites as catalyst materials in the field of catalysis. Manuscripts from a wide range of important topics related to catalysts, reactors, and processes are welcome. It is of great significance to promote their applications in the field of sustainable energy and environmental remediation.

Prof. Dr. Hui Li
Prof. Dr. Ioannis Konstantinou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • MXenes
  • catalysts
  • photocatalysis
  • electrocatalysis
  • thermocatalysis
  • catalytic mechanisms

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 8198 KB  
Article
Thermally Exfoliated g-C3N4/Ti3C2Tx MXene Schottky Junctions as Photocatalysts for the Removal of Valsartan from Aquatic Environments
by Christos Lykos and Ioannis Konstantinou
Catalysts 2025, 15(9), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15090909 - 18 Sep 2025
Viewed by 237
Abstract
In recent years, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has gained considerable ground in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis for the abatement of emerging contaminants from aqueous environments. Nonetheless, certain limitations, including a small surface area and a high recombination rate, [...] Read more.
In recent years, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has gained considerable ground in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis for the abatement of emerging contaminants from aqueous environments. Nonetheless, certain limitations, including a small surface area and a high recombination rate, limit its photocatalytic efficacy. In this study, g-C3N4 was synthesized from urea and then underwent thermal exfoliation. A portion of the exfoliated material was subsequently subjected to protonation via acid treatment, and both protonated and non-protonated variants of exfoliated g-C3N4 were combined with small amounts of Ti3C2Tx MXene. The morphology, chemical structure, and optical properties of the synthesized materials were examined using various characterization techniques. Additionally, their photocatalytic performance was evaluated through laboratory tests using the commonly detected anti-hypertensive drug valsartan as a model pollutant. The degradation kinetics of valsartan revealed that combining 1% Ti3C2Tx MXene with exfoliated g-C3N4 (both protonated and non-protonated) achieves optimal removal. Notably, the composite material 1%-pCNMX (protonated variant) displayed a 20% higher removal kinetic rate than unmodified exfoliated g-C3N4, removing a higher quantity of valsartan within the same time frame. Furthermore, all protonated composites proved more effective in degrading valsartan than their non-protonated counterparts, demonstrating the positive impact of acid treatment. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the successful formation of Schottky junctions between g-C3N4 and Ti3C2Tx, which reduced the recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis)
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16 pages, 6369 KB  
Article
Plasma–Liquid Synthesis of PLA/MXene Composite Films and Their Structural, Optical, and Photocatalytic Properties
by Nikolay Sirotkin, Anna Khlyustova and Alexander Agafonov
Catalysts 2025, 15(9), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15090890 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 255
Abstract
This study addresses the need for sustainable, high-performance photocatalytic materials by developing novel polylactide (PLA)/MXene composites. A one-step plasma-liquid synthesis method was employed, utilizing a direct current discharge between metal electrodes (Ti, Mo) in a carbon tetrachloride and PLA solution. This single-step process [...] Read more.
This study addresses the need for sustainable, high-performance photocatalytic materials by developing novel polylactide (PLA)/MXene composites. A one-step plasma-liquid synthesis method was employed, utilizing a direct current discharge between metal electrodes (Ti, Mo) in a carbon tetrachloride and PLA solution. This single-step process simultaneously exfoliates MXene nanosheets (Ti2CClx, Mo2CClx, Mo2TiC2Clx) and incorporates them into the polymer matrix. The resulting composite films exhibit a highly porous morphology and significantly enhanced optical absorption, with band gaps reduced to 0.62–1.15 eV, enabling efficient visible-light harvesting. The composites demonstrate excellent photocatalytic activity for degrading a mixture of organic dyes (Methylene Blue > Rhodamine B > Reactive Red 6C) under visible light. The developed plasma-liquid technique presents a streamlined, efficient route for fabricating visible-light-driven PLA/MXene photocatalysts, offering a sustainable solution for advanced water purification applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis)
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18 pages, 4136 KB  
Article
Interfacial Electric Fields and Chemical Bonds in Ti3C2O-Crafted AgI/MoS2 Direct Z-Scheme Heterojunction Synergistically Expedite Photocatalytic Performance
by Suxing Jiao, Tianyou Chen, Yiran Ying, Yincheng Liu and Jing Wu
Catalysts 2025, 15(8), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15080740 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 569
Abstract
The photocatalytic performance of heterojunctions is often restricted by inferior contact interface and low charge transfer efficiency. In this work, Ti3C2O MXene was crafted with AgI/MoS2 to produce a Z-scheme heterojunction (AgI/MoS2/Ti3C2O). [...] Read more.
The photocatalytic performance of heterojunctions is often restricted by inferior contact interface and low charge transfer efficiency. In this work, Ti3C2O MXene was crafted with AgI/MoS2 to produce a Z-scheme heterojunction (AgI/MoS2/Ti3C2O). Interfacial electric fields and chemical bonds were proven to exist in the heterojunction. The interfacial electric fields supplied a powerful driving force, and the interfacial Ti-O-Mo bonds served as an atomic-level channel for synergistically expediting the vectorial transfer of photogenerated carriers. As a result, AgI/MoS2/Ti3C2O exhibited significantly improved photocatalytic activity, demonstrating a high H2O2 production rate of 700 μmol·g−1·h−1 and a rapid degradation of organic pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis)
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19 pages, 11588 KB  
Article
One-Step Carbonization of Monosaccharide and Dicyandiamide to Oxygen and Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon Nanosheets for Electrocatalytic O2 Reduction to H2O2
by Dan Wang, Yanan Liu, Kun Wan, Danning Feng, Yan Pei, Minghua Qiao, Xiaoxin Zhang and Baoning Zong
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050459 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 768
Abstract
The electrocatalytic reduction of O2 via two-electron reaction (2e-ORR) to H2O2 represents a promising alternative to the current anthraquinone process, since it is advantageous in the sustainable and decentralized production of H2O2. Herein, we report [...] Read more.
The electrocatalytic reduction of O2 via two-electron reaction (2e-ORR) to H2O2 represents a promising alternative to the current anthraquinone process, since it is advantageous in the sustainable and decentralized production of H2O2. Herein, we report the development of oxygen and nitrogen-rich few-layered graphene-like materials (ms-dcda) by the one-step carbonization of biomass-sourced monosaccharides (D-glucose, D-fructose, D-galactose, D-ribose, D-xylose, L-arabinose, and D-mannose) with the aid of dicyandiamide for electrochemical O2 reduction to H2O2. The ms-dcda materials were porous and possessed wrinkled morphology typical of graphene nanosheets. In H2O2 production via 2e-ORR in an acidic electrolyte, these ms-dcda materials were all active and stable catalysts, among which glu-dcda derived from D-glucose and dicyandiamide displayed the lowest onset potential of 0.553 V and the highest selectivity of up to 91.6%. The catalyst was also highly stable in chronoamperometric tests. Selective chemical titration of the C–OH and C=O groups revealed that the latter is far more active and selective than the former in 2e-ORR. Moreover, a positive correlation between the contents of C=O and pyrrolic N and the H2O2 partial current suggests that the pyrrolic N group also contributes to 2e-ORR. This work affords a facile strategy for the sustainable fabrication of metal-free carbon-based catalysts efficient for H2O2 electrosynthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis)
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18 pages, 4287 KB  
Article
Plasma–Liquid Synthesis of Titanium- and Molybdenum-Containing MXenes and Their Photocatalytic Properties
by Nikolay Sirotkin, Anna Khlyustova, Valeriya Shibaeva and Alexander Agafonov
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050445 - 2 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 759
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that underwater low-temperature plasma is effective for synthesizing nanomaterials by generating plasma discharges between metal electrodes submerged in water. This study extends this approach to the one-step synthesis of MXenes containing titanium, molybdenum, and titanium–molybdenum composites through pulsed discharges [...] Read more.
Previous studies have demonstrated that underwater low-temperature plasma is effective for synthesizing nanomaterials by generating plasma discharges between metal electrodes submerged in water. This study extends this approach to the one-step synthesis of MXenes containing titanium, molybdenum, and titanium–molybdenum composites through pulsed discharges in carbon tetrachloride, an oxygen-free, non-flammable solvent characterized by a high boiling point and low permittivity. By employing titanium and molybdenum electrodes in various configurations, three MXene samples were synthesized: Ti2CTX, Mo2CTX, and Mo2TiC2TX. Characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis of high-purity MXenes with distinct structural and optical properties. Notably, the bandgap values of the synthesized MXenes were determined as 1.71 eV for Ti2CTX, 1.42 eV for Mo2TiC2TX, and 1.07 eV for Mo2CTX. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized MXenes was evaluated, showing a removal efficiency of 65% to 98% for dye mixtures, with methylene blue showing the highest degradation rate. This plasma-assisted method offers a scalable, precursor-free route for the synthesis of MXenes with potential applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and optoelectronics due to their tunable bandgaps and high catalytic activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MXenes-Based Composites and Their Applications in Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis and Thermocatalysis)
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