Emerging Two-Dimensional Ti3C2-BiOCl Nanoparticles for Excellent Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties

Introduction  MXenes (Ti₃C₂) represent a group of two-dimensional inorganic compounds, produced through a top-down exfoliation method. They comprise ultra-thin layers of transition metal carbides, or carbonitrides, and exhibit hydrophilic properties on their surfaces. Utilizing Ti₃C₂ BiOCl nanoparticles for their antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes involves enhancing synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques. Materials and method  To prepare Ti₃C₂ MXene, dissolve 1.6 g of LiF in 20 ml of 9M HCl. Slowly add 1 g of Ti₃AlC₂ (titanium aluminum carbide) powder to the solution while stirring. Etch at 35°C for 24 h to remove Al layers from Ti₃AlC₂, leaving Ti₃C₂ layers. Wash the mixture with distilled water and ethanol until the pH is around 6. Collect the washed sediment by centrifugation and sonicate it in distilled water for 1 h. Centrifuge to remove unexfoliated particles. For BiOCl synthesis, dissolve 2 mmol of Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O (bismuth nitrate pentahydrate) in 10 ml of 2M HCl (hydrochloric acid) with 0.5 g of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). Transfer the solution to a Teflon-lined autoclave, fill it with distilled water up to 80%, and heat at 160°C for 24 h. Collect the precipitate by centrifugation, wash, and dry at 60°C for 12 h. Disperse BiOCl nanoparticles in distilled water, sonicate for 30 min, add Ti₃C₂ MXene dispersion, stir for 2 h, collect, wash, dry, and calcine at 400°C for 2 h. Result  The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) utilizes electrons, rather than light, to generate highly magnified images. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) complements SEM by analyzing the X-ray spectrum emitted when a solid sample is bombarded with electrons, enabling localized chemical analysis. In SEM imaging, incorporating an X-ray spectrometer allows for both element mapping and point analysis. The SEM image of the prepared samples reveals accordion-like multilayer structures in BiOCl, characterized by thin sheet-like structures with numerous pores. EDS, relying on X-ray emissions from electron bombardment, facilitates detailed chemical analysis at specific locations within the sample.  Conclusion  Our research has shed light on the synthesis and characterization processes of two-dimensional Ti₃C₂ BiOCl nanoparticles, revealing their remarkable antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.