Interfacial Charge-Modulated Multifunctional MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> Penetrating Electrode for High-Efficiency Freshwater Production.

Abstract

Freshwater production is critical in terms of solving the global water shortage. Aiming at improving freshwater production capability and ensuring its quality, an interfacial charge-modulated MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>-modified carbon fiber (CF/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>) penetrating electrode is designed. To maximize the desalination and degradation efficiencies of CF/MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>, a photocatalytic component is introduced into the membrane capacitive deionization (PMCDI) device. High desalination capability is derived from the lamellar architecture structure of MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>. Meanwhile, excellent degradation performance is due to the formation of two photoelctrocatalytic activity centers, directionally generating singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and hydroxyl radical (^•OH). The intercalated Cl^- (desalination) as the electron transfer bridge optimizes the charge distribution of MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>, reinforcing the photoelectrocatalytic activity (degradation). The formation of the electron-deficient (desalination) and electron-rich (regeneration) regions at the terminated O atom of Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> accelerate the generations of ^•OH and ¹O₂, respectively. In perspective, a mutual promotion process of desalination and degradation is achieved for high-efficiency production of high-quality freshwater.