Multi-function adsorbent-photocatalyst MXene-TiO composites for removal of enrofloxacin antibiotic from water.

MXenes, a new family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides or nitrides, have attracted tremendous attention for various applications due to their unique properties such as good electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and ion intercalability. In this work, TiC MXene, or MX, is converted to MX-TiO composites using a simple and rapid microwave hydrothermal treatment in HCl/NaCl mixture solution that induces formation of fine TiO particles on the MX parent structure and imparts photocatalytic activity to the resulting MX-TiO composites. The composites were used for enrofloxacin (ENR), a frequently found contaminating antibiotic, removal from water.