Tuning the Electrochemical Performance of Titanium Carbide MXene by Controllable In Situ Anodic Oxidation

MXenes are a class of two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides that have shown promise for high‐rate pseudocapacitive energy storage. However, the effects that irreversible oxidation have on the surface chemistry and electrochemical properties of MXenes are still not understood. Here we report on a controlled anodic oxidation method which improves the rate performance of titanium carbide MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x, T_x refers to ‐F, =O, ‐Cl and ‐OH) electrodes in acidic electrolytes. The capacitance retention at 2000 mV s^?1 (with respect to the lowest scan rate of 5 mV s^?1) increases gradually from 38 % to 66 % by tuning the degree of anodic oxidation. At the same time, a loss in the redox behavior of Ti₃C₂T_x is evident at high anodic potentials after oxidation. Several analysis methods are employed to reveal changes in the structure and surface chemistry while simultaneously introducing defects, without compromising electrochemically active sites, are key factors for improving the rate performance of Ti₃C₂T_x. This study demonstrates improvement of the electrochemical performance of MXene electrodes by performing a controlled anodic oxidation.     

零维/二维MXene复合膜的制备及其超级电容器性能

采用水热法制备了0D/2D复合Ti₃C₂T_x MXene,利用X射线衍射、动态光散射和荧光光谱表征了其结构与形貌,结果表明形成了量子点吸附于纳米片的Ti₃C₂T_x复合结构（QDT）。相比未引入量子点的Ti₃C₂T_x,由QDT组装得到的自支撑膜电极的电化学性能有了显著提高：在三电极体系中,扫速为5 mV·s^-1时,比电容为338 F·g^-1,当扫速达到2 000 mV·s^-1,电容保持率达到46%;在两电极体系中,0.5 A·g^-1时的比电容达到216 F·g^-1,10 000次循环后电容保持率为87%。以上性能可归结于：量子点提供了更多的离子吸附位点,且纳米片尺寸减小,缩短了离子传输路径。     

Lithium storage properties of Ti3C2Tx (Tx = F,Cl, Br) MXenes

In this work, Ti₃C₂T_x MXene with -F, -Cl and -Br surface terminations are synthesized and the effect of these halogen terminations on the lithium storage properties is investigated. A maximum Li⁺ storage capacity of 189 mAh/g is achieved with Ti₃C₂Br_x MXene much higher than Ti₃C₂Cl_x and Ti₃C₂F_x with 138 mAh/g and 123 mAh/g, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that the adsorption formation energy of halogen atoms on Ti atoms follows the trend of Ti-F > Ti-Cl > Ti-Br, leading to the same trend in the content of terminations on corresponding MXenes. In addition, inevitable exposure of MXene to oxygen causes competition between halogen and oxygen. Theoretical results show Ti₃C₂Br_x MXene has the highest Ti to O ratio and the lowest Ti to Br ratio, the high lithium affinity of O explains the maximum Li-ion storage capacity with Ti₃C₂Br_x MXene. This work shed light on the opportunity for achieving improved lithium storage properties of MXene electrodes by regulating the surface chemistry.     

Understanding the Synergy between Fe and Mo Sites in the Nitrate Reduction Reaction on a Bio-Inspired Bimetallic MXene Electrocatalyst

Mo- and Fe-containing enzymes catalyze the reduction of nitrate and nitrite ions in nature. Inspired by this activity, we study here the nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) catalyzed by an Fe-substituted two-dimensional molybdenum carbide of the MXene family, viz., Mo₂CT_x : Fe (T_x are oxo, hydroxy and fluoro surface termination groups). Mo₂CT_x : Fe contains isolated Fe sites in Mo positions of the host MXene (Mo₂CT_x) and features a Faradaic efficiency (FE) and an NH₃ yield rate of 41 % and 3.2 μmol h⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively, for the reduction of NO₃⁻ to NH₄⁺ in acidic media and 70 % and 12.9 μmol h⁻¹ mg⁻¹ in neutral media. Regardless of the media, Mo₂CT_x : Fe outperforms monometallic Mo₂CT_x owing to a more facile reductive defunctionalization of T_x groups, as evidenced by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (Mo K-edge). After surface reduction, a T_x vacancy site binds a nitrate ion that subsequently fills the vacancy site with O* via oxygen transfer. Density function theory calculations provide further evidence that Fe sites promote the formation of surface O vacancies, which are identified as active sites and that function in NO₃RR in close analogy to the prevailing mechanism of the natural Mo-based nitrate reductase enzymes.     

A Hybrid Assembly of MXene with NH2−Si Nanoparticles Boosting Lithium Storage Performance

A facile hybrid assembly between Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets and (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxylsilane‐modified Si nanoparticles (NH₂?Si NPs) was developed to construct multilayer stacking of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets with NH₂?Si NPs assembling together (NH₂?Si/Ti₃C₂T_x). NH₂?Si/Ti₃C₂T_x exhibits a significantly enhanced lithium storage performance compared to pristine Si, which is attributed to the robust crosslinking architecture and considerably improved electrical conductivity as well as shorter Li⁺ diffusion pathways. The optimized NH₂?Si/Ti₃C₂T_x anode with Ti₃C₂T_x: NH₂?Si mass ratio of 4 : 1 displays an enhanced capacity (864 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C) with robust capacity retention, which is significantly higher than those of NH₂?Si NPs and Ti₃C₂T_x anodes. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the important effect of the MXene‐based electrode architecture on the electrochemical performance and can guide future work on designing high‐performance Si/MXene hybrids for energy storage applications.     

Toward Understanding the Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Storage in 3D SnS/MXene Architectures Enabled by Engineered Surface Reactions

The optimization of three-dimensional (3D) MXene-based electrodes with desired electrochemical performances is highly demanded. Here, a precursor-guided strategy is reported for fabricating the 3D SnS/MXene architecture with tiny SnS nanocrystals (≈5 nm in size) covalently decorated on the wrinkled Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets through Ti−S bonds (denoted as SnS/Ti₃C₂T_x-O). The formation of Ti−S bonds between SnS and Ti₃C₂T_x was confirmed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). Rather than bulky SnS plates decorated on Ti₃C₂T_x (SnS/Ti₃C₂T_x-H) by one-step hydrothermal sulfidation followed by post annealing, this SnS/Ti₃C₂T_x-O presents size-dependent structural and dynamic properties. The as-formed 3D hierarchical structure can provide short ion-diffusion pathways and electron transport distances because of the more accessible surface sites. In addition, benefiting from the tiny SnS nanocrystals that can effectively improve Na⁺ diffusion and suppress structural variation upon charge/discharge processes, the as-obtained SnS/Ti₃C₂T_x-O can generate pseudocapacitance-dominated storage behavior enabled by engineered surface reactions. As predicted, this electrode exhibits an enhanced Na storage capacity of 565 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ after 75 cycles, outperforming SnS/Ti₃C₂T_x-H (336 mAh g⁻¹), SnS (212 mAh g⁻¹), and Ti₃C₂T_x (104 mAh g⁻¹) electrodes.     

Co-existence of magnetic phases in two-dimensional MXene

This study reports first synthesis of MXene-derived co-existing magnetic phases. New family of two-dimensional (2D) materials such as Ti₃C₂ namely MXene, having transition metal forming hexagonal structure with carbon atoms have attracted tremendous interest now a days. We have reported structural, optical and magnetic properties of un-doped and La-doped Ti₃C₂T_x MXene, synthesized using co-precipitation method. The lattice parameter (LP) calculated for La-MXene are a = 5.36 Å, c = 18.3 Å which are slightly different from the parent un-doped MXene (a = 5.35 Å, c = 19.2 Å), calculated from X-ray diffraction data. The doping of La⁺³ ions shrinks Ti₃C₂T_x layers perpendicular to the planes. The band gap for MXene is calculated to be 1.06 eV which is increased to 1.44 eV after doping of La⁺³ ion that shows its good semiconducting nature. The experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations for magnetic properties of both the samples have been presented and discussed, indicating the co-existence of ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic phases. The results presented here are novel and is first report on co-existence of magnetic properties of 2D carbides for potential applications in two-dimensional spintronics.     

3D crumbled MXene for high-performance supercapacitors

MXene materials have recently attracted considerable attention in energy storage application owing to their metallic conductivity, 2D structure and tunable surface terminations. However, the restacking of 2D MXene nanosheets hinders the ion transport and accessibility to the surface, resulting in adverse effect on their electrochemical performances. Here, with the assistance of hexamethylenetetramine (C₆H₁₂N₄), 2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets were fabricated into a 3D architecture with crumbled and porous structure through an electrostatic self-assembly followed by annealing. The resultant 3D structure can expose massive active sites and facilitates the ion transport, which is beneficial for sufficient utilization of the outstanding superiorities of the MXene. Therefore, as a pseudocapacitive material, the 3D crumpled and porous Ti₃C₂T_x MXene shows a gravimetric capacitance of 333 F/g at 1 A/g, and maintains 261 F/g and 132 F/g at ultrahigh current densities of 100 A/g and 1000 A/g, respectively, revealing promising potential for application in supercapacitors.     

Direct Observation of Electron-Vibration Coupling at MXene-Solvent Interface?

MXenes, a new family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have received extensive interest due to their fascinating physicochemical properties, such as outstanding light-to-heat conversion efficiency. However, the photothermal conversion mechanism of MXenes is still poorly understood. Here, by using femtosecond visible and mid-infrared transient absorption spectroscopy, the electronic energy dissipation dynamics of MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) nanosheets dispersed in various solvents are carefully studied. Our results indicate that the lifetime of photoexcited MXene is strongly dependent on the surrounding environment. Especially, the interfacial electron-vibration coupling between the MXene nanosheets and the adjacent solvent molecules is directly observed following the ultrafast photoexcitation of MXene. It suggests that the interfacial interactions at the MXene-solvent interface play a critical role in the ultrafast energy transport dynamics of MXene, which offers a potentially feasible route for tailoring the light conversion properties of 2D systems.     

Titanium Carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene Ornamented with Palladium Nanoparticles for Electrochemical CO Oxidation

Titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x) MXene possesses various unique physicochemical and catalytic properties. However, the electrochemical CO oxidation performance is not yet addressed experimentally. Herein, Ti₃C₂T_x (T_X=OH, O, and F) ordered and exfoliated two-dimensional nanosheets ornamented with semi-spherical palladium nanoparticles (2.5 Wt. %) with an average diameter of (10±1 nm) (denoted as Pd/Ti₃C₂T_x) is rationally designed for the electrochemical CO oxidation. The fabrication process is based on the selective chemical etching of Ti₃AlC₂ and delamination under sonication to form Ti₃C₂Tx nanosheets that are used as a substrate and reducing agent for supporting in situ growth of Pd nanoparticles via impregnation with Pd salt. Interestingly, Pd-free Ti₃C₂T_x displayed inferior CO oxidation activity, while Pd/Ti₃C₂T_x enhanced the CO oxidation activity substantially. This is attributed to the combination of outstanding physicochemical properties of Ti₃C₂T_x and the catalytic merits of Pd nanoparticles.     

Simultaneous Delamination and Rutile Formation on the Surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene for Copper Adsorption

In this work, we studied the formation of the rutile phase of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on delaminated MXene (d‐Ti₃C₂T_x) flakes by the reaction of Ti₃C₂T_x with amino acids in water. Three types of amino acids with varied side‐chain polarity were used to delaminate Ti₃C₂T_x. d‐Ti₃C₂T_x flakes formed stable colloidal solutions due to the negative surface charges of chemisorbed amino acids on the d‐Ti₃C₂T_x. Rutile formed on d‐Ti₃C₂T_x at room temperature upon the intercalation of aromatic amino acids and subsequent sonication of the solution, while flakes intercalated with aliphatic amino acids did not oxidize. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy revealed the nanosize rutile formation on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x flakes. The XPS results indicated the surface functionalization of histidine on d‐Ti₃C₂T_x flakes. As‐synthesized histidine functionalized rutile TiO₂@d‐Ti₃C₂T_x hybrid was used for adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution with a maximum uptake of 95 mg g^?1.     

Memristive Effect in Ti3C2Tx (MXene) Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

The emerging novel class of two-dimensional materials – MХenes – have attracted significant research attention. However, there are only few reports on using the most prominent member of the MXene family, Ti₃C₂T_x, as an active material for memristive devices within a polyelectrolyte matrix and its deposition on inert electrodes like ITO and Pt. In this study, we systematically investigate Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes synthesized with two classical delamination agents, such as lithium chloride and tetramethylammonium hydroxide, to identify the most suitable candidate for memristive device applications. The characteristics of memristors based on the hybrid structures consisting of MXene−polyelectrolyte multilayers, specifically polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) are explored. The PEI(MXene)/PSS memristor exhibits a voltage threshold (V_SET/RESET) range of 1.5–2.0 V, enabling the transition from a high-resistive state (HRS) to a low-resistive state (LRS), along with a significant current switching ratio of approximately two orders of magnitude. The observed V_SET/RESET difference of approximately 4 V is further supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculated redox potential. These findings underscore the potential of polyelectrolyte-based memristors, such as the in PEI−Ti₃C₂T_x−PSS system, in facilitating the development of highly functional, self-assembled memristive devices with diverse applications.     

Functional MXene Materials: Progress of Their Applications

Nowadays, two‐dimensional materials have many applications in materials science. As a novel two‐dimensional layered material, MXene possesses distinct structural, electronic, and chemical properties; thus, it has potential applications in many fields, including battery electrodes, energy storage materials, sensors, and catalysts. Up to now, more than 70 MAX phases have been reported. However, in contrast to the variety of MAX phases, the existing MXene family merely includes Ti₂C, Ti₃C₂, (Ti_1/2, Nb_1/2)₂C, (V_1/2, Cr_1/2)₃C₂, Nb₂C, Ti₃CN, Ta₄C₃, V₂C, and Nb₄C₃. Among these materials, the Ti₃C₂T_x MXene exhibits prominently high volumetric capacitance, and the rate at which it transports electron is suitable for electrode materials in batteries and supercapacitors. Hence, Ti₃C₂T_x is commonly utilized as an electrode material in ion batteries such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Al³⁺ batteries. What is more, Ti₂C has the biggest specific surface area among all of these potential MXene phases, and therefore, Ti₂C has remarkably high gravimetric hydrogen storage capacities. In addition, Ti₂CO₂ materials display extremely high activity for CO oxidation, which makes it possible to design catalysts for CO oxidation at low temperatures. Furthermore, Ti₃C₂T_x with O, OH, and/or F terminations can be used for water purification owing to excellent water permeance, favorable filtration ability, and long‐time operation ability. This review supplies a relatively comprehensive summary of various applications of MXenes over the past few years.     

Achieving high yield of Ti3C2Tx MXene few-layer flakes with enhanced pseudocapacior performance by decreasing precursor size

Ti₃C₂T_x, a most studied member of MXene family, shows promise as a candidate electrode for pseudocapacitor due to its electronic conductivity and hydrophilic surface. However, the unsatisfactory yield of Ti₃C₂T_x few-layer flakes significantly restricted it in real applications. Here, we proposed a simple solution to boost the yield of Ti₃C₂T_x few-layer flakes by decreasing precursor size. When using the small 500 mesh Ti₃AlC₂ powders as raw material, high yield of 65% was successfully achieved. Moreover, the as-received small flakes also exhibit an enhanced pseudocapacior performance owing to their excellent electrical conductivity, expanded interlayer space and more O content on the surface. This work not only sheds light on the cost effective mass production of Ti₃C₂T_x few-layer flakes, but also provides an efficient solution for the design of MXene electrodes with high pseudocapacior performance.     

In situ decoration of CoP/Ti3C2Tx composite as efficient electrocatalyst for Li-oxygen battery

Application of Li-oxygen (Li-O₂) battery is in urgent need of bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalyst. A surface-functionalization CoP/Ti₃C₂T_x composite was fabricated theoretically, with the optimized electronic structure and more active electron, which is beneficial to the electrochemical reaction. The accordion shaped Ti₃C₂T_x is featured with large specific surface area and outstanding electronic conductivity, which is beneficial for the adequate exposure of active sites and the deposition of Li₂O₂. Transition metal phosphides provide more electrocatalytic active sites and present good electrocatalytic effect. The CoP/Ti₃C₂T_x composite served as the electrocatalyst of Li-O₂ battery reaches a high specific discharge capacity of 17,413 mAh/g at 100 mA/g and the lower overpotential of 1.25 V, superior to those of the CoP and Ti₃C₂T_x individually. The composite of transition metal phosphides and MXene are applied in Li-O₂ battery, not only demonstrating higher cycling stability of the prepared CoP/Ti₃C₂T_x composite, but pointing out the direction for their electrochemical performance improvement.     

Multiscale Dot-Wire-Sheet Heterostructured Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots-Ti3C2Tx/Silk Nanofibers for High-Performance Fiber-Shaped Supercapacitors

Fiber-shaped supercapacitors (FSCs) have become one of the significantly strategical flexible energy-storage materials towards future wearable textile electronics and metaverse technologies. Here, we develop the high-performance FSCs based on multiscale dot-wire-sheet heterostructure microfiber of nitrogen-doped carbon dots-Ti₃C₂T_x/silk nanofibers (NCDs-Ti₃C₂T_x/SNFs) hybrids via microfluidic fabrication. Due to the enlarged interlayer spacing, plentiful porous channels, accelerated H⁺ ion transport dynamics, large electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical strength/flexibility, the NCDs-Ti₃C₂T_x/SNFs possesses high volumetric capacitance (2218.7 F cm⁻³) and reversible charge–discharge stability in 1 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. Furthermore, the solid-state FSCs present high energy density (57.9 mWh cm⁻³), good capacitance (1157 F cm⁻³), long-life cycles (82.3 % capacitance retention after 40000 cycles), which realize the actual energy-supply applications (powering lamp, watch and toy car).     

Surface-tuned two-dimension MXene scaffold for highly reversible zinc metal anode

Zinc metal has aroused increasing interest as anode material of Zn-based batteries for their energy storage application. However, the uneven Zn stripping/plating processes induce severe dendrite growth, leading to low Coulombic efficiency and safety hazards. Herein, a surface-tuned two-dimensional (2D) MXene Ti₃C₂T_x scaffold as a robust skeleton is developed to facilitate the uniform Zn stripping/plating. The Ti₃C₂T_x with high electrical conductivity and unique structure provides fast ionic-transport paths, promising even Zn²⁺ stripping/plating processes. With suppressed Zn dendrite growth and uniform nucleation, the proposed 2D Ti₃C₂T_x scaffold for Zn metal anode delivers a low voltage hysteresis of 63 mV and long lifespan over 280 h. This surface-tuned engineering strategy demonstrates the potential application of Zn anode with MXene skeleton for next-generation Zn-based batteries.     

Chlorophyll-Based Organic Heterojunction on Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanosheets for Efficient Hydrogen Production

The Z-scheme process is a photoinduced electron-transfer pathway in natural oxygenic photosynthesis involving electron transport from photosystem II (PSII) to photosystem I (PSI). Inspired by the interesting Z-scheme process, herein a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) employing chlorophyll (Chl) derivatives, Chl-1 and Chl-2, on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene with two-dimensional accordion-like morphology, forming Chl-1@Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x composite, is demonstrated. Due to the frontier molecular orbital energy alignments of Chl-1 and Chl-2, sublayer Chl-1 is a simulation of PSI, whereas upper layer Chl-2 is equivalent to PSII, and the resultant electron transport can take place from Chl-2 to Chl-1. Under the illumination of visible light (>420 nm), the HER performance of Chl-1@Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x photocatalyst was found to be as high as 143 μmol h⁻¹ g_cat⁻¹, which was substantially higher than that of photocatalysts of either Chl-1@Ti₃C₂T_x (20 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) or Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x (15 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹).     

Fast self-assembled microfibrillated cellulose@MXene film with high-performance energy storage and superior mechanical strength

The trade-off between the electrochemical performance and mechanical strength is still a challenge for Ti₃C₂T_x free-standing electrode. Herein, a facile approach was proposed to fabricate a Microfibrillated cellulose@Ti₃C₂T_x (MFC@Ti₃C₂T_x) self-assembled microgel film by means of hydrogen bonding linkage. Benefiting from the rich hydroxyl groups on the MFC, the Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets coated on the MFC in a time scale of minutes (within 1 min) instead of hours. The ultralong 1D frame of MFC effectively mitigated the re-aggregation of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheet. The fluffy MFC@Ti₃C₂T_x film structure and the constructed 1D/2D conducting Ti₃C₂T_x pathways in horizontal and vertical directions endowed the fast ion transport of the electrolytes and the improved accessibility to the Ti₃C₂T_x surface. As a result, the freestanding MFC@Ti₃C₂T_x microgel film delivered a high specific capacitance of 451F/g. And the rate performance was increased to 71% from the 64% of that of pristine Ti₃C₂T_x film. Furthermore, the tensile strength of MFC@Ti₃C₂T_x film was also promoted to 46.3 MPa, 3 folds of that of the pristine Ti₃C₂T_x film, due to the high strength of MFC and the hydrogen bonding effect.     

A Two‐Dimensional Zirconium Carbide by Selective Etching of Al3C3 from Nanolaminated Zr3Al3C5

The room‐temperature synthesis of a new two‐dimensional (2D) zirconium‐containing carbide, Zr₃C₂T_z MXene is presented. In contrast to traditional preparation of MXene, the layered ternary Zr₃Al₃C₅ material instead of MAX phases is used as source under hydrofluoric acid treatment. The structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of the synthesized 2D carbide are investigated, combined with first‐principles density functional calculations. A comparative study on the structrual stability of our obtained 2D Zr₃C₂T_z and Ti₃C₂T_z MXenes at elevated temperatures is performed. The obtained 2D Zr₃C₂T_z exhibits relatively better ability to maintain 2D nature and strucural integrity compared to Ti‐based Mxene. The difference in structural stability under high temperature condition is explained by a theoretical investigation on binding energy.