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Article
MXsorption of mercury: Exceptional reductive behavior of titanium carbide/carbonitride MXenes
Environmental Research
  • Asif Shahzad, Dongguk University, Seoul
  • Kashif Rasool, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute
  • Jibran Iqbal, Zayed University
  • Jiseon Jang, Korea Radioactive Waste Agency
  • Youngsu Lim, Kyungpook National University
  • Bolam Kim, Kyungpook National University
  • Jae Min Oh, Dongguk University, Seoul
  • Dae Sung Lee, Kyungpook National University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2022
Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) have drawn considerable attention for application in the field of environmental remediation. In this study, we report the simultaneous reductive–adsorption behavior of Ti3CNTx for toxic metal ion Hg2+ ion in the aqueous phase. 2D Ti3CNTx and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets were synthesized by exfoliation of Ti3AlCN and Ti3AlC2 MAX phases, respectively. Various characteristics analysis confirmed the successful fabrication of MAX phases and their exfoliation into MXenes. The fabricated MXene nanosheets were used to investigate their Hg2+ removal, Hg2+ intercalation, and surface interaction mechanism efficiencies. Both MXenes were found to adsorb and reduce a large amount of Hg2+. Analytical techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, field emission transmission electron microscopy, zeta-potential analyses, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the material characteristics and structural changes after uptake of Hg2+. The quantitative investigation confirmed the interaction of bimetal and hydroxyl groups with Hg2+ using electrostatic interactions and adsorption-coupled reduction. In addition, both MXenes exhibited extraordinary Hg ion removal capabilities in terms of fast kinetics with an excellent distribution coefficient (KdHg) up to 1.36 × 10+9. Based on batch adsorption results, Ti3C2Tx and Ti3CNTx exhibited removal capacities of 5473.13 and 4606.04 mg/g, respectively, for Hg2+, which are higher than those of previous Hg adsorbents.

Publisher
Elsevier BV
Keywords
  • Hg reduction,
  • MXene,
  • MXsorption,
  • Titanium carbonitride,
  • Water decontamination
Scopus ID
85121219217
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112532
Citation Information
Asif Shahzad, Kashif Rasool, Jibran Iqbal, Jiseon Jang, et al.. "MXsorption of mercury: Exceptional reductive behavior of titanium carbide/carbonitride MXenes" Environmental Research Vol. 205 (2022) ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/0013-9351" target="_blank">0013-9351</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jibran-iqbal/98/