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.     

Achieving high-rate capacitance of multi-layer titanium carbide (MXene) by liquid-phase exfoliation through Li-intercalation

The stacks of multi-layer Ti₃C₂T_x and other types of MXene materials limit their electrochemical performance. Herein, we report a facile exfoliation technique to improve the exfoliation efficiency through Li-intercalation into Ti₃C₂T_x interlayers in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) with LiOH as intercalant. This de-intercalation method presented here not only effectively delaminates the stacked Ti₃C₂T_x multi-layers into separate few-layer MXene sheets, but also achieves high-rate supercapacitive performance of Ti₃C₂T_x electrode. The as-produced delaminated Ti₃C₂T_x shows highly improved electrochemical capacitive properties from 47 to 115 F g^− 1 at 200 mV s^− 1. Even at extremely high scan rate of 1000 mV s^− 1, a specific capacitance of 82 F g^− 1 is still obtained. The high-rate capability can be attributed to improved ions accessibility into the few-layer structures. This study offers a new and simple exfoliation pathway for MXenes materials to exploit their full potential in energy storage applications.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Resistive-type sensors based on few-layer MXene and SnO2 hollow spheres heterojunctions: Facile synthesis,ethanol sensing performances

High-performance and low-cost gas sensors are highly desirable and involved in industrial production and environmental detection. The combination of highly conductive MXene and metal oxide materials is a promising strategy to further improve the sensing performances. In this study, the hollow SnO₂ nanospheres and few-layer MXene are assembled rationally via facile electrostatic synthesis processes, then the SnO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x nanocomposites were obtained. Compared with that based on either pure SnO₂ nanoparticles or hollow nanospheres of SnO₂, the SnO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x composite-based sensor exhibits much better sensing performances such as higher response (36.979), faster response time (5 s), and much improved selectivity as well as stability (15 days) to 100 ppm C₂H₅OH at low working temperature (200 °C). The improved sensing performances are mainly attributed to the large specific surface area and significantly increased oxygen vacancy concentration, which provides a large number of active sites for gas adsorption and surface catalytic reaction. In addition, the heterostructure interfaces between SnO₂ hollow spheres and MXene layers are beneficial to gas sensing behaviors due to the synergistic effect.     

Electrochemical and in-situ X-ray diffraction studies of Ti3C2Tx MXene in ionic liquid electrolyte

2D titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x MXene) showed good capacitance in both organic and neat ionic liquid electrolytes, but its charge storage mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, electrochemical characteristics of Ti₃C₂T_x electrode were studied in neat EMI-TFSI electrolyte. A capacitive behavior was observed within a large electrochemical potential range (from − 1.5 to 1.5 V vs. Ag). Intercalation and de-intercalation of EMI⁺ cations and/or TFSI⁻ anions were investigated by in-situ X-ray diffraction. Interlayer spacing of Ti₃C₂T_x flakes decreases during positive polarization, which can be ascribed to either electrostatic attraction effect between intercalated TFSI⁻ anions and positively charged Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets or steric effect caused by de-intercalation of EMI⁺ cations. The expansion of interlayer spacing when polarized to negative potentials is explained by steric effect of cation intercalation.     

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.     

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.     

Pt immobilized spontaneously on porous MXene/MAX hybrid monolith for hydrogen evolution reaction

Designing efficient electrocatalysts with low Pt loadings for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is urgently required for renewable and sustainable energy conversion.Here,we report a strategy that Pt nanoparticulates are spontaneously immobilized on porous MXene/MAX monolith as HER catalysts by utilizing the redox reaction between Ti_3C_2T_x MXene and [PtCl_4]~2 in H_2 PtCl_6 aqueous solution.By taking advantage of homogeneously distributed Pt nanoparticulates on highly electrically conductive porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 monolith,the as-prepared electrocatalysts show high catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution.Specifically,the binder-free electrocatalysts have Pt loadings as low as 8.9 μg/cm~2,with low overpotential of 43 mV at a curre nt density of 10 mA/cm~2 and low Tafel slope that three times lower than porous Ti_3C_2T_x/Ti_3AlC_2 without Pt loading.This strategy offers a new approach to constructing ultra-low Pt-loading HER catalysts on the basis of in situ redox reaction between noble metal ions and MXenes.     

Ternary BiOBr/TiO2/Ti3C2Tx MXene nanocomposites with heterojunction structure and improved photocatalysis performance

The rational design and construction of heterojunction structure is an effective strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance. Herein, a series of BiOBr nanosheets-immobilized TiO₂/Ti₃C₂T_x MXene hybrid materials with heterojunction structure were synthesized by a facial one-step hydrothermal method. The ternary composites show outstanding performance as photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B due to the optimized synergetic effects of BiOBr, TiO₂ and Ti₃C₂T_x. The improved photocatalytic performance is remarkably attributed to the construction of a heterojunction between TiO₂ and BiOBr due to their well-matching of energy band position, which can enhance the absorption for visible light and promote the transfer of photo-generated charge carriers. Moreover, Ti₃C₂T_x acts as an electron trap to further accelerate the separation of photo-generated electrons and holes.     

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.     

Highly Conductive MXene Film Actuator Based on Moisture Gradients

MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) is a new 2D material with both hydrophilicity and high electrical conductivity, and it has shown promise in smart electronic devices. Reported herein is a homogeneous MXene film actuator with high electrical conductivity triggered by moisture gradients. The actuator is highly sensitive to moisture and undergoes deformation, with the maximum bending angle as high as 155° at a relative humidity difference of 65 %. Several analysis methods show that the humidity drive and large deformation of the MXene film occur in situ by asymmetric expansion of the bilayer structure. The combination of deformation and electrical conductivity makes this film applicable to flexible excavators, electrical switches, and other fields, applications that are difficult to achieve directly by using other 2D materials. More importantly, this work further expands the new application range of MXene materials and provides new opportunities for building the next generation of high‐conductivity smart actuators.     

From high-yield Ti3AlCN ceramics to high-quality Ti3CNTx MXenes through eliminating Al segregation

Ti₃CNT_x MXenes with unique electrical conductivity can be widely applied for supercapacitors and electromagnetic shielding. However, its relatively low-yield quaternary nitrogen-containing Ti₃AlCN ceramics precursor (less than 50%), due to the inevitable Al segregation during the synthesizing process, significantly hindered its widely commercial applications. Herein, we employed the controllable AlN-oversaturation precursor strategy to precisely tune the phase transition point of quaternary Ti₃AlCN ceramics to obtain high-yield Ti₃AlCN precursor for the purpose of high conductivity Ti₃CNT_x MXenes. Combined energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (XRD) with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations, the yield of the quaternary nitrogen-containing Ti₃AlCN ceramics was evidently proved to be up to 70%, which is 1.4 times than that of previously reported works. Such relatively high-yield quaternary Ti₃AlCN is mainly ascribed to the elimination of Al segregation. Based on it, we further developed accordion-like two-dimensional (2D) MXene via hydrofluoric acid etch and vacuum freeze-dry. This novel accordion-like 2D Ti₃CNT_x MXene possesses high electrochemical capacitive properties (209 F/g). Therefore, this controllable AlN-oversaturation precursor strategy will pave a way to exploit costly high-yield MAX ceramics precursor for high conductivity MXenes and also play a powerful role in promoting their practical applications including electrical and magnetic engineering fields.     

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.     

Molecularly imprinted orthophenylenediamine with Ti3C2TxMXene-based biosensor for sensitive detection of bilirubin

In this study, bilirubin (BR) is detected by using a novel molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on a Ti₃C₂T_xMXene-modified ITO electrode. First, Ti₃C₂T_xMXene is synthesized by chemical etching and deposited at the ITO electrode surface by drop casting. After that, ortho-phenylenediamine (o-PD) as monomer is electropolymerized in the presence of a sodium acetate buffer solution containing the BR template to prepare BR-imprinted electrode. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x-ray diffraction and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy confirms the MXene synthesis. The molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) formation at the electrode is confirmed by electrochemical methods such as differential pulse voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, and FESEM. The linearity range, limit of detection and the limit of quantification are calculated as 0.1 mg/dL to 20 mg/dL, 0.002 mg/dL, and 6.6 mg/dL respectively. Stability and reproducibility are also reported for the prepared MIP sensor.     

MXene/枝状Co/聚偏氟乙烯复合光热膜制备及其界面蒸发性能

使用湿法刻蚀方式将Ti₃AlC₂刻蚀剥离成单/少层Ti₃C₂T_x MXene纳米片,采用电化学还原法制备枝状Co,然后以亲水的聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)膜为基底通过真空抽滤制备Ti₃C₂T_x/枝状Co/PVDF复合光热膜。对复合材料的结构和形貌进行表征,研究了复合光热膜的光吸收性能和界面蒸发性能。结果表明,在模拟1个太阳光照下(光照强度为1 kW·m^-2),Ti₃C₂T_x/枝状Co/PVDF复合光热膜的光吸收率达到95.3%,纯水蒸发速率达到1.78 kg·m^-2·h^-1,界面蒸发效率高达97.5%。此外,还测试了在模拟海水中的界面蒸发性能,蒸发冷凝得到的水达到世界卫生组织(WHO)和美国环境保护署(EPA)饮用水标准,蒸发速率达到1.61 kg·m^-2·h     

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.     

Acceptorless Photocatalytic Dehydrogenation of Furfuryl Alcohol (FOL) to Furfural (FAL) and Furoic Acid (FA) over Ti3C2Tx/CdS under Visible Light

Acceptorless photocatalytic dehydrogenation is not only a promising alternative to photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation but also provides a green and sustainable strategy for the synthesis of value-added organic compounds. In this work, Ti₃C₂T_x/CdS nanocomposites were obtained by self-assembly of hexagonal CdS in the presence of preformed Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets, which serves as a photocatalyst for acceptorless dehydrogenation of biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol (FOL) to furfural (FAL) and furoic acid (FA) in neutral and alkaline medium respectively, with simultaneous generation of stoichiometric hydrogen under visible light. Ti₃C₂T_x MXene acts as an efficient cocatalyst for the photocatalytic dehydrogenation of FOL over CdS, with an optimum performance achieved over 0.50 wt% Ti₃C₂T_x/CdS nanocomposite. This study provides an economic and sustainable strategy for the simultaneous valorization of biomass-derived FOL to produce FAL and FA as well as the production of clean energy hydrogen under mild condition based on noble metal-free semiconductor-based photocatalysts.