Hierarchical MoS2/Ti3C2T heterostructure with excellent photothermal conversion performance for solar-driven vapor generation

Metallic 1T Molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS 2 ) exhibits enhanced full spectral light absorption and prominent electrical conductivity, making it ideal for photothermal applications in conjunction with Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. Despite the challenges in increasing the 1T-MoS 2 proportion within MoS 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x heterostructures and the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms governing their formation and properties, herein, a combined theoretical and experimental framework has been established, suggesting that the metallic characteristics of Ti 3 C 2 T x and 1T-MoS 2 could significantly improve photothermal performance through strong interlayer interactions and efficient electron transport. The hierarchical MoS 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x heterostructure has been fabricated through a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method with enhanced 1T-MoS 2 proportion, which achieves multilayered wrinkled architecture resulting from the in-situ growth of MoS 2 on Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets. Notably, a remarkable peak photoheating temperature of 107 ​°C under an 808 ​nm laser with an intensity of 0.5 ​W·cm −2 is realized, demonstrating its exceptional photothermal conversion capability. By incorporated into a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane, the MoS 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x heterostructure functions as an efficient self-floating solar-driven steam generator, reaching an evaporation rate of 1.79 ​kg·m −2 ·h −1 and an evaporation efficiency of 96.4% under one solar irradiance. This study proposes a versatile strategy for the MoS 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x heterostructure, offering the potential for sustainable solar-driven vapor generation technologies. A feasible constructing heterostructure approach is reported to utilize density functional theory to predict that the combination of 1T-rich MoS 2 with Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene could substantially improve photothermal performance.