Inkjet-Printed Flexible and Transparent Ti3C2Tx/TiO2 Composite Films: A Strategy for Photoelectrically Controllable Photocatalytic Degradation

Abstract

The 2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene has a large specific surface area, abundant functional groups, and low work function, which has potential in the field of photocatalytic materials. However, the manufacturing of controllable films with high photocatalytic properties and desirable transmittance is a challenging task. Herein, low-cost, large-scale, and rapid preparation of Ti₃C₂T_x/TiO₂ flexible composite films have been successfully prepared by inkjet printing technology, which can be applied in complex and special environments, as well as in photoelectrically controllable places for photocatalytic performance. With the increase of the anatase TiO₂, the transmittance of Ti₃C₂T_x/TiO₂ films increases from 55.37% to 73.27% at 780 nm, corresponding to the square resistance of 1.112–206.496 kΩ sq⁻¹ and the figure of merit of 0.48–0.005. When the amount of anatase TiO₂ is 15%, the film has the best photocatalytic effect on methylene blue (MB) dye, reaching 68.94%. After five cycles of testing, the degradation efficiency of MB dye decreases by only 5.68%, showing that the film has good cycling stability. This work provides a new research direction for photoelectrically controllable photocatalytic degradation in complex and special environments.