Ti₃C₂-MXene/NiO Nanocomposites-Decorated CsPbI₃ Perovskite Active Materials under UV-Light Irradiation for the Enhancement of Crystal-Violet Dye Photodegradation

Ti3C2-MXene material, known for its strong electronic conductivity and optical properties, has emerged as a promising alternative to noble metals as a cocatalyst for the development of efficient photocatalysts used in environmental cleanup. In this study, we investigated the photodegradation of crystal-violet (CV) dye when exposed to UV light using a newly developed photocatalyst known as Ti3C2-MXene/NiO nanocomposite-decorated CsPbI3 perovskite, which was synthesized through a hydrothermal method. Our research investigation into the structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM–EDS mapping, XPS, UV–Vis, and PL spectroscopy. The photocatalytic efficacy of the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite was assessed by evaluating its ability to degrade CV dye in an aqueous solution under UV-light irradiation. Remarkably, the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite displayed a significant improvement in both the degradation rate and stability of CV dye when compared to the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO nanocomposite and CsPbI3 perovskite materials. Furthermore, the UV–visible absorption spectrum of the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite demonstrated a reduced band gap of 2.41 eV, which is lower than that of Ti3C2-MXene/NiO (3.10 eV) and Ti3C2-MXene (1.60 eV). In practical terms, the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite achieved an impressive 92.8% degradation of CV dye within 90 min of UV light exposure. We also confirmed the significant role of photogenerated holes and radicals in the CV dye removal process through radical scavenger trapping experiments. Based on our findings, we proposed a plausible photocatalytic mechanism for the Ti3C2-MXene/NiO/CsPbI3 composite. This research may open up new avenues for the development of cost-effective and high-performance MXene-based perovskite photocatalysts, utilizing abundant and sustainable materials for environmental remediation

Investigation of Supercapacitor Electrodes Based on MIL-101(Fe) Metal-Organic Framework: Evaluating Electrochemical Performance through Hydrothermal and Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

Supercapacitors have garnered substantial interest owing to their capacity to deliver power effectively for short-term applications. However, current supercapacitors suffer from limited stability and low-capacity storage. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising solution due to their high surface area and abundant active redox sites. MOF-based electrodes combined with aqueous based electrolytes have shown potential to enhance supercapacitor performance. While there is limited literature on MIL-101(Fe) MOF-based electrodes, a comparative study was conducted to investigate the supercapacitor performance of MIL-101(Fe) electrodes synthesized using hydrothermal and microwave-assisted processes. Processing parameters, such as the method used, alter the microstructure, morphology, and uniformity of supramolecular chemistry, impacting electrochemical characteristics. This study aimed to determine the active redox reactions, chemical stability, surface area, adsorption characteristics, and electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes. The electrodes from hydrothermal synthesis [MF(ht)] exhibited excellent electrochemical activity in comparison to the microwave-assisted [MF(m)] electrodes in the three-electrode configuration. At a high current density of 7 A/g, the MF(ht) electrode displayed a remarkable specific capacitance of 775.6 F/g and a good cyclic stability (82% @ 10 A/g) after 5000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles. At a current density of 1 A/g, the two-electrode configuration of MF(ht) yielded a high energy density of 74.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 2160 W/kg and a decent cyclic stability after 5000 cycles. The results suggest that the MF(ht) electrodes possess remarkable electrochemical properties that make them a promising candidate for advanced applications in energy storage