Preparation of composite based on MXene-Ti3C2 and coconutshell-derived activated carbon for desalination of brackish water

Abstract

MXenes is a new two-dimensional material which is gaining more attention in recent years for applications in catalysis, energy storage, and environmental remediation. In this study, MXene-Ti3C2 is synthesized from precursor MAX-Ti3AlC2 via etching method and then combined with coconutshell-derived activated carbon to provide a highly conductive and porous composite. The composite will be later employed as electrode materials in capacitive deionization for water desalination. The results have shown an increase in specific capacitance by 3.7 times in the composite (0.5 wt% MXene-Ti3C2) when compared with pure activated carbon. These promising results have proved the possibility to use MXenes-based composites for desalination and other treatment techniques for salted water.