  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 Ti3C2Tx 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 Ti3C2Tx 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 Ti3C2Tx 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 Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. Our
results suggest that plasmonic electron excitation of Ti3C2Tx 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.
