Two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene-derived Ti3C2-Ti2C-TiO2 materials for improved diclofenac sodium adsorption performance

This paper aims to prepare an adsorbent based on MXene material for adsorbing diclofenac sodium (DCF). In this paper, Ti3C2-MXene was prepared by etching Ti3AlC2 with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Ti3C2 was subjected to a convenient and simple solvothermal treatment. TiO2 and Ti2C were formed during the solvothermal process. According to the results of FT-IR and XRD, the formation of TiO2 and Ti2C will increase the interlayer spacing of the prepared Ti3C2-12 h, thereby improving the adsorption performance of MXenes. The main factors affecting the adsorbent, the maximum adsorption capacity, and the interaction between the two factors were analyzed by single-factor experiment, orthogonal experiment, and response surface analysis. The maximum DCF adsorption capacities of Ti3C2 and Ti3C2-12 h are 201 mg/g and 395 mg/g, respectively. MXene made from HF can absorb DCF under various pH conditions and maintain a high adsorption rate, which has important applications in environmental protection.