Hierarchical MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructure with excellent photothermal conversion performance for solar-driven vapor generation

Metallic 1T Molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂) exhibits enhanced full spectral light absorption and prominent electrical conductivity, making it ideal for photothermal applications in conjunction with Ti₃C₂T_x MXene. Despite the challenges in increasing the 1T-MoS₂ proportion within MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_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 Ti₃C₂T_x and 1T-MoS₂ could significantly improve photothermal performance through strong interlayer interactions and efficient electron transport. The hierarchical MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructure has been fabricated through a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method with enhanced 1T-MoS₂ proportion, which achieves multilayered wrinkled architecture resulting from the in-situ growth of MoS₂ on Ti₃C₂T_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 MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_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 MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x heterostructure, offering the potential for sustainable solar-driven vapor generation technologies.