Core-shell 2D nanoarchitectures: engineering N, P-doped graphitic carbon/MXene heterostructures for superior capacitive deionization

Engineering MXene-based 2D heterostructures is a hot research topic for capacitive deionization (CDI) materials. Herein, MXene nanosheets were ingeniously integrated with metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived carbons to generate the N, P-doped graphitic carbon/Ti3C2Tx MXene heterostructures (N, P-GC/MXene). The ZIF-67/MXene precursors were synthesized through in situ nucleation of ZIF-67 dodecahedra onto the MXene nanosheets, followed by thermal carbonization and phosphatization to prepare N, P-GC/MXene, which was composed of homogeneously distributed heteroatoms (N and P) in the carbon frameworks. By virtue of structural characteristics, high electrochemical conductivity, and pseudocapacitive contributions, the N, P-GC/MXene electrodes exhibited a superior salt adsorption capacity of 55.3 mg g(-1), rapid removal rate, and excellent cycling stability. This work demonstrates the potential of MXene-based heterostructures for CDI materials and propels the development of the CDI technique.