Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of Ti₃C₂/TiO₂/CuO Ternary Nanocomposites

Abstract

Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 /CuO nanocomposites were synthesized via the decomposition of a mixture of Ti 3 C 2 (a novel two-dimensional carbide) and cupric nitrate under an argon atmosphere. The morphology and structures of the obtained samples were characterized. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometer analysis indicate that the sample is composed of Ti 3 C 2 , anatase-TiO 2 , and CuO. Scanning electron microscopy images show that CuO and TiO 2 nanoparticles were evenly distributed on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 . The particles size increased with an increase in the cupric nitrate content. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange shows that the Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 /CuO nanocomposite has good photocatalytic degradation efficiency. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of the Ti 3 C 2 /TiO 2 /CuO nanocomposites was proposed. The data indicated that CuO and Ti 3 C 2 effectively promote the separation of photoelectrons from vacancies.