Palladium nanoparticles decorated MXene for plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis

Two-dimensional MXene nanomaterials have found a wide application range in recent years. Here, Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets exhibiting inherent photothermal activity reveal synergistic plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic properties upon rational surface decoration with palladium nanoparticles (NPs). Pd incorporation induces a 1.7-fold increase in the number of defect sites on the MXene surface. Most importantly, the introduced Pd nanoparticles favour an effective separation and collection of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-induced hot charge carriers generated at the surface of semi-metallic Ti₃C₂ NS, further facilitating the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The generated H₂O₂ is sequentially decomposed to hydroxyl radicals via the peroxidase (POD)-like activity of Pd NPs. The Pd@MXene shows approximately 2-fold enhancement of photocatalytic activity and excellent photostability under laser irradiation. Taken together, this study highlights the promise of constructing active and stable MXene-based nanohybrids for highly effective photo-responsive nanomedicine.