Plasmonic Light Illumination Creates a Channel To Achieve Fast Degradation of Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> Nanosheets

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) material-controllable degradation under light radiation is crucial for their photonics and medical-related applications, which are yet to be investigated. In this paper, we first report the laser illumination method to regulate the degradation rate of Ti₃C₂T _x nanosheets in aqueous solution. Comprehensive characterization of intermediates and final products confirmed that plasmonic laser promoting the oxidation was strikingly different from heating the aqueous solution homogeneously. Laser illumination would nearly 10 times accelerate the degradation of Ti₃C₂T _x nanosheets in initial stage and create many smaller-sized oxidized products in a short time. Laser-induced fast degradation was principally ascribed to surface plasmonic resonance effect of Ti₃C₂T _x nanosheets. The degradation ability of such illumination could be controlled either by tuning the excitation wavelength or changing the excitation power. Furthermore, the laser- or thermal-induced degradation could be retarded by surface protection of Ti₃C₂T _x nanosheets. Our results suggest that plasmonic electron excitation of Ti₃C₂T _x nanosheets could build a new reaction channel and lead to the fast oxidation of nanosheets in aqueous solution, potentially enabling a series of water-based applications.