Bimetallic CuBi nanoparticles modified Ti3C2 MXene as an efficient cocatalyst for enhancing photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen.

This study presents the synthesis of two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets decorated with copper (Cu) and bismuth (Bi) bimetallic nanoparticles for the oxidative degradation of acetaminophen in aqueous solutions. The CuBi/Ti3C2 composites were synthesized using a one-pot soft integration strategy based on wet chemical reduction. Comprehensive characterization of the nanocomposites was conducted to assess their crystallinity, morphology, optical, and electrochemical properties. The CuBi/Ti3C2 composite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic activity for the degradation of acetaminophen under visible-light irradiation, achieving a remarkable 99.7 % removal of 10 mg/L acetaminophen within 180 min. This enhanced degradation performance is attributed to the synergistic effects between CuBi nanoparticles and Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets, which optimize the electronic structure, narrow the band gap, and enhance the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby inhibiting the recombination of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. This study offers valuable insights into the design and development of high-performance cocatalysts as alternatives to noble metal materials for water treatment applications.