A Ti3C2TX/Pt–Pd based amperometric biosensor for sensitive cancer biomarker detection

The detection of cancer biomarkers is of great significance for the early screening of cancer. Detecting the content of sarcosine in blood or urine has been considered to provide a basis for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, it still lacks simple, high-precision and wide-ranging sarcosine detection methods. In this work, a Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd nanocomposite with high stability and excellent electrochemical performance has been synthesized by a facile one-step alcohol reduction and then used on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with sarcosine oxidase (SO_x) to form a sarcosine biosensor (GCE/Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd/SO_x). The prominent electrocatalytic activity and biocompatibility of Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd enable the SO_x to be highly active and sensitive to sarcosine. Under the optimized conditions, the prepared biosensor has a wide linear detection range to sarcosine from 1 to 1000 µM with a low limit of detection of 0.16 µM (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 84.1 µA/mM cm². Besides, the reliable response in serum samples shows its potential in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. More importantly, the successful construction and application of the amperometric biosensor based on Ti₃C₂T_X/Pt–Pd will provide a meaningful reference for detecting other cancer biomarkers.     

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.     

Synergistic Catalytic Acceleration of MXene/MWCNTs as Decorating Materials for Ultrasensitive Detection of Morphine

Ti₃C₂T_X MXene was synthesized by exfoliating pristine Ti₃AlC₂ phase with hydrofluoric acid. The simple methods of mechanical mixing and drop-casting of Ti₃C₂T_X and MWCNTs were carried out to prepare sensing electrode of Ti₃C₂T_X/MWCNTs/GCE. The composite and topography, especially the surface functional groups of Ti₃C₂T_X/MWCNTs were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectrum. The results turned out that Ti₃C₂T_X was characteristic by accordion-like 2D nanostructure with the surfaces terminated with −OH, −F, and =O. When combining with acid pretreated, the interaction between the functional groups of Ti₃C₂T_X and MWCNTs facilitated the convenience and reproducibility of the robust modified electrodes and could make Ti₃C₂T_X/MWCNTs/GCE possess good synergistic catalytic acceleration by increasing the electron transfer efficiency as well as adsorption and aggregation of MOP analyte onto the electrode surface. Versatile electrochemical measurements of CV, DPV and EIS were used to investigate the electrochemical performance of Ti₃C₂T_X/MWCNTs/GCE sensing platform. The linear detection range is 0.01–100 μM with the limit of detection of 0.0092 μM (S/N=3). The sensor has good stability, repeatability, reproducibility and anti-interference. In the detection of serum and urine samples, it has a good recovery rate.     

MXene-Regulated Metal-Oxide Interfaces with Modified Intermediate Configurations Realizing Nearly 100% CO2 Electrocatalytic Conversion

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction via renewable electricity provides a sustainable way to produce valued chemicals, while it suffers from low activity and selectivity. Herein, we constructed a novel catalyst with unique Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-regulated Ag−ZnO interfaces, undercoordinated surface sites, as well as mesoporous nanostructures. The designed Ag−ZnO/Ti₃C₂T_x catalyst achieves an outstanding CO₂ conversion performance of a nearly 100% CO Faraday efficiency with high partial current density of 22.59 mA cm⁻² at −0.87 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. The electronic donation of Ag and up-shifted d-band center relative to Fermi level within MXene-regulated Ag−ZnO interfaces contributes the high selectivity of CO. The CO₂ conversion is highly correlated with the dominated linear-bonded CO intermediate confirmed by in situ infrared spectroscopy. This work enlightens the rational design of unique metal-oxide interfaces with the regulation of MXene for high-performance electrocatalysis beyond CO₂ reduction.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

多级Ag/Bi/氮空位g-C3N4/Ti3C2Tx肖特基结的构筑及其全光谱催化性能

采用原位溶剂热反应制备多级 Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄(氮空位-g-C₃N₄)/Ti₃C₂T_x肖特基结, 并对其物相组成和晶体结构、微观形貌和孔结构、表面元素组成和化学态、光学和光电化学性质进行了表征。由于 Ag、Bi和 Ti₃C₂T_x协同的表面等离激元共振效应,Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂T_x表现出全光谱吸收特性。由载流子浓度差驱动的界面极化电荷转移诱导形成的肖特基结, 显著提高了光生载流子(包括热电子和热空穴)的分离效率和利用率。因此, 与 Nv-g-C₃N₄、Ti₃C₂T_x、Ag/Nv-g-C₃N₄、Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄和 Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄相比, Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂T_x表现出显著增强的全光谱催化活性, 其在可见光和近红外光照射下光催化降解四环素的反应速率常数分别为 0.033和 0.008 6 min^-1, 为对比样品的 10~2.1倍和 8.6~1.8倍。     

多级Ag/Bi/氮空位g-C3N4/Ti3C2Tx肖特基结的构筑及其全光谱催化性能

采用原位溶剂热反应制备多级Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄(氮空位-g-C₃N₄)/Ti₃C₂T_x肖特基结,并对其物相组成和晶体结构、微观形貌和孔结构、表面元素组成和化学态、光学和光电化学性质进行了表征。由于Ag、Bi和Ti₃C₂T_x协同的表面等离激元共振效应,Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂T_x表现出全光谱吸收特性。由载流子浓度差驱动的界面极化电荷转移诱导形成的肖特基结,显著提高了光生载流子(包括热电子和热空穴)的分离效率和利用率。因此,与Nv-g-C₃N₄、Ti₃C₂T_x、Ag/Nv-g-C₃N₄、Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄和Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄相比,Ag/Bi/Nv-g-C₃N₄/Ti₃C₂T_x表现出显著增强的全光谱催化活性,其在可见光和近红外光照射下光催化降解四环素的反应速率常数分别为0.033和0.008 6 min^-1,为对比样品的10~2.1倍和8.6~1.8倍。     

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.     

Interface-Anchored Covalent Organic Frameworks@Amino-Modified Ti3C2Tx MXene on Nylon 6 Film for High-Performance Deformable Supercapacitors

Designing deformable supercapacitors (D-SCs) that have robust skeleton and smoothly active channels for charges kinetic migration and faradic storage are highly crucial for wearable systems. Here, we develop the high-performance D-SCs made of the covalent organic frameworks(COF)@amino-modified Ti₃C₂T_x deposited on decorated nylon 6 (DPA) film (COF@N-Ti₃C₂T_x/DPA) via layer-by-layer fabrication. The hierarchical COF@N-Ti₃C₂T_x/DPA exhibits admirable specific capacitance, rate performance and cycling stability in three-electrode system due to the superior H⁺ storage property and large interfacial charge transfer clarified by density functional theory calculations. Additionally, the solid-state D-SCs deliver favourable energy density and practical energy-supply applications. Particularly, the solid-state D-SCs present high deformable stabilities, with regard to 80.7, 80.6 and 83.4 % capacitance retention after 5000 bending cycles, 2000 stretching cycles and 5000 folding cycles, separately.     

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.     

Fluorine‐Free Synthesis of High‐Purity Ti3C2Tx (T=OH,O) via Alkali Treatment

MXenes, 2D compounds generated from layered bulk materials, have attracted significant attention in energy‐related fields. However, most syntheses involve HF, which is highly corrosive and harmful to lithium‐ion battery and supercapacitor performance. Here an alkali‐assisted hydrothermal method is used to prepare a MXene Ti₃C₂T_x (T=OH, O). This route is inspired from a Bayer process used in bauxite refining. The process is free of fluorine and yields multilayer Ti₃C₂T_x with ca. 92 wt % in purity (using 27.5 m NaOH, 270 °C). Without the F terminations, the resulting Ti₃C₂T_x film electrode (ca. 52 μm in thickness, ca. 1.63 g cm^?3 in density) is 314 F g^?1 via gravimetric capacitance at 2 mV s^?1 in 1 m H₂SO₄. This surpasses (by ca. 214 %) that of the multilayer Ti₃C₂T_x prepared via HF treatments. This fluorine‐free method also provides an alkali‐etching strategy for exploring new MXenes for which the interlayer amphoteric/acidic atoms from the pristine MAX phase must be removed.     

Fluorine‐Free Synthesis of High‐Purity Ti3C2Tx (T=OH,O) via Alkali Treatment

MXenes, 2D compounds generated from layered bulk materials, have attracted significant attention in energy‐related fields. However, most syntheses involve HF, which is highly corrosive and harmful to lithium‐ion battery and supercapacitor performance. Here an alkali‐assisted hydrothermal method is used to prepare a MXene Ti₃C₂T_x (T=OH, O). This route is inspired from a Bayer process used in bauxite refining. The process is free of fluorine and yields multilayer Ti₃C₂T_x with ca. 92 wt % in purity (using 27.5 m NaOH, 270 °C). Without the F terminations, the resulting Ti₃C₂T_x film electrode (ca. 52 μm in thickness, ca. 1.63 g cm⁻³ in density) is 314 F g⁻¹ via gravimetric capacitance at 2 mV s⁻¹ in 1 m H₂SO₄. This surpasses (by ca. 214 %) that of the multilayer Ti₃C₂T_x prepared via HF treatments. This fluorine‐free method also provides an alkali‐etching strategy for exploring new MXenes for which the interlayer amphoteric/acidic atoms from the pristine MAX phase must be removed.     

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.     

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.     

Robust and easily retrievable Pd/Ti_3C_2T_x■graphene hydrogels for efficient catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds

Ti_3C_2T_x has been emerging as an attractive platform to prepare composite catalysts,and their assembly into integrated catalytic mate rials repre sents a key step forward toward practical applications.Howeve r,the swelling behavior of Ti_3C_2T_x leads to significant structure change,which challenges the stability of Ti_3C_2T_x-based integrated functional materials for catalytic applications.Here we report a facile synthesis of Pd/Ti_3C_2T_x■graphene hydrogels in which Pd/Ti_3C_2T_x are spatially encapsulated in the 3 D porous graphene framework.The porous interconnected structure not only affords efficient mass transfer and desirable functional accessibility to catalytic active sites,but also effectively buffers the swelling behavior of Ti_3C_2T_x.When applied for catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds,the mechanically robust Pd/Ti_3C_2T_x■graphene hydrogels exhibit efficient activities,easy separability,and good cyclability.This work is expected to promote the application of Ti_3C_2T_x-based functional materials for practical applications involving interactions with salt solutions,such as supercapacitors,catalysis,and water purification.     

Influence of highly efficient PbS counter electrode on photovoltaic performance of CdSe quantum dots-sensitized solar cells

PbS electrode with high catalytic activity to S_n ^2? reduction certificated by the measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry was prepared by a simple method. The high catalytic activity makes it be a low-cost alternative counter electrode to platinum (Pt) to be used in quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on polysulfide electrolyte. The photovoltaic performance enhancement of the quantum dots (QDs)-sensitized semiconductor thin films due to the PbS counter electrode was evaluated by fabricating QDSSCs based on CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO (SnO₂) thin film. CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO thin film has the lower internal total series resistance and electron transmission time, the higher electron lifetime and electron collection efficiency than the CdSe QDs-sensitized SnO₂ thin film. Replacing the Pt counter electrode with the PbS counter electrode leads to more improvement on the short circuit photocurrent density for QDSSC based on the ZnO thin film than the SnO₂ thin film. Therefore, the process to limit the photovoltaic performance of CdSe QDs-sensitized solar cell and the possible way to improve the photovoltaic performance were analyzed.     

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。     

Studies on ion-pair and triple-ion formation of some tetraalkylammonium salts in binary solvent mixtures of benzene and tetrahydrofuran at 298.15 K

Conductivities of some tetraalkylammonium halides, viz. tetrabutylammonium bromide (Bu₄NBr), tetrapentylammonium bromide (Pen₄NBr), tetrahexylammonium bromide (Hex₄NBr) and tetraheptylammonium bromide (Hep₄NBr) were measured at 298.15 K in THF + C₆H₆ mixtures with 10, 20, 30 and 40 mass% of C₆H₆. A minimum in the conductance values was observed as concentration increases, which dependent both on the salt and the solvent. The observed molar conductivities were explained by the formation of ion-pairs (M⁺ + X⁻ ↔ MX, K_P) and triple-ions (2 M⁺ + X⁻ ↔ M₂X⁺; M⁺ + 2X⁻ ↔ MX₂⁻, K_T). A linear relationship between the triple-ion formation constants [log(K_T/K_P)] and the salt concentrations at the minimum conductivity (log C_min) was given for all salts in C₆H₆ + THF mixtures. The formation of triple-ions might be attributed to the ion sizes in solutions in which coulombic interactions and covalent bonding forces act as the main forces between the ions (R₄N⁺ X⁻).