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.