Two-dimensional lithium-intercalated Ti3C2Tx MXene for highly selective neodymium (Ⅲ) adsorption

•2D multilayered Ti3C2Tx MXene adsorbents were fabricated via selective Al element etching.•Li+-intercalation increased the interlayer spacing and surface area.•TCF-2 exhibited broad working pH range and excellent Nd3+ adsorption capacity (517.8 mg/g).•The Nd3+/Fe3+ selectivity of TCF-2 reached 221.•The adsorption mechanism was elucidated using different characterizations.