2D MXenes polar catalysts for multi-renewable energy harvesting applications

The synchronous harvesting and conversion of multiple renewable energy sources for chemical fuel production and environmental remediation in a single system is a holy grail in sustainable energy technologies. However, it is challenging to develop advanced energy harvesters that satisfy different working mechanisms. Here, we theoretically and experimentally disclose the use of MXene materials as versatile catalysts for multi-energy utilization. Ti₃C₂T_X MXene shows remarkable catalytic performance for organic pollutant decomposition and H₂ production. It outperforms most reported catalysts under the stimulation of light, thermal, and mechanical energy. Moreover, the synergistic effects of piezo-thermal and piezo-photothermal catalysis further improve the performance when using Ti₃C₂T_X. A mechanistic study reveals that hydroxyl and superoxide radicals are produced on the Ti₃C₂T_X under diverse energy stimulation. Furthermore, similar multi-functionality is realized in Ti₂CT_X, V₂CT_X, and Nb₂CT_X MXene materials. This work is anticipated to open a new avenue for multisource renewable energy harvesting using MXene materials.