MXenes as Emerging Materials: Synthesis,Properties, and Applications

Due to their unique layered microstructure, the presence of various functional groups at the surface, earth abundance, and attractive electrical, optical, and thermal properties, MXenes are considered promising candidates for the solution of energy- and environmental-related problems. It is seen that the energy conversion and storage capacity of MXenes can be enhanced by changing the material dimensions, chemical composition, structure, and surface chemistry. Hence, it is also essential to understand how one can easily improve the structure–property relationship from an applied point of view. In the current review, we reviewed the fabrication, properties, and potential applications of MXenes. In addition, various properties of MXenes such as structural, optical, electrical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical have been discussed. Furthermore, the potential applications of MXenes in the areas of photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, nitrogen fixation, gas sensing, cancer therapy, and supercapacitors have also been outlooked. Based on the reported works, it could easily be observed that the properties and applications of MXenes can be further enhanced by applying various modification and functionalization approaches. This review also emphasizes the recent developments and future perspectives of MXenes-based composite materials, which will greatly help scientists working in the fields of academia and material science.     

The Hydrothermal Synthesis of Petalite Mineral Phases and their Morphological Changing by Increasing of Temperature

In this investigation the Petalite minerals were synthesized hydrothermally at different temperatures from a glass with the composition Li₂CO₃:Al₂O₃: SiO₂ and the relation 1: 1: 8. On that occasion the following mineral phases arised:

• at low temperatures (410°C) α-petalite (unit cell å = 11.737 Å/b̊ = 5.17 Å/c̊ = 7.63 Å, space group P₂/a);
• At 490 °C α-petalite was splitted to quartz and an orthorhombic β₁-petalite (unit cell å = 18.24 Å/c̊ = 10.54 Å/c̊ = 10.57 Å, space group P_mC_n). β₁-petalite could be observated until 1000 °C.
• at 560 °C tetragonal β₂-petalite (unit cell å = 7.50 Å/c̊ = 9.07 Å, space group P 4₃2₁2) in parallel with β₁-petalite;
• Behind 750 °C β₂-petalite was not observed.
• Behind 900 °C a pseudohexagonal mineral phase developed from β₁-petalite. May be it is possible to indicate this phase as hexagonal (unit cell å = 5.217 Å/c̊ = 5.464 Å, space group P 6₂22 or P 6₄22). The author suggests to denote this phase as β₃-petalite.

     

Novel experimental design paradigm for development of eco-friendly gradient chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of metronidazole and spiramycin

This work describes the innovative experimental design-assisted development of a green gradient chromatographic method for concomitant analysis of metronidazole (MTR) and spiramycin (SPR). Two different designs including fractional factorial and Box-Behnken designs were implemented for screening and optimization steps, respectively. The optimum chromatographic conditions involved a mobile phase consisting of ethanol and 20 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution (pH adjusted to 2.5) in the ratio 2:98 (v/v) for 2 min then the ratio changed to 30:70 (v/v). The flow rate was 1.3 mL/minute. Separation and analysis were performed on X-bridge C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm × 3.5 μm) column with diode array detector set at 230 nm. Column oven temperature was 40°C. A linear response was acquired over the range of 5–125 μg/mL for both drugs. Detection and quantitation limits were 0.86 and 2.62 μg/mL for MTR and 0.92 and 2.83 μg/mL for SPR, respectively. The method was implemented for determination of both drugs in three tablet formulations. The method was proved to be green as evaluated by three assessment tools. The application of experimental designs assists in development of a robust green chromatographic method in gradient elution mode for determination of both drugs within reasonable time.     

The Hydrothermal Effect on Crystal Development and Electrical Conductivity of Li2CO3

Lithiumcarbonat was treated hydrothermally in the range of temperature from 80 °C to 600 °C. The Li₂CO₃-crystals of the starting material were monoclinic with the unit cell a = 8.39 Å, b = 5.00 Å, c = 6.21 Å, β = 114.5° and the space group C2/c (Zemann). During the increase of temperature the habit of the Li₂CO₃-crystals changed in the ranges of higher temperatures that they could be described as pseudocubic. In parallel with this development the electrical conductivity of the crystals also changed.     

Transmission properties of space-time modulated metamaterials

We prove the possibility of achieving exponentially growing wave propagation in space-time modulated media and give an asymptotic analysis of the quasifrequencies in terms of the amplitude of the time modulation at the degenerate points of the folded band structure. Our analysis provides the first proof of existence of k-gaps in the band structures of space-time modulated systems of subwavelength resonators.     

Aggregation phenomena in polyelectrolyte multilayers made from polyelectrolytes bearing bulky functional,hydrophobic fragments

The functionalization of polyelectrolyte multilayers often implies the use of bulky functional fragments, attached to a standard polyelectrolyte matrix. Despite of the high density of non-charged, often hydrophobic substituents, regular film growth by sequential adsorption proceeds easily when an appropriate polyelectrolyte counter ion is chosen. However, the functional fragments may cluster or aggregate. This complication is particularly evident when using chromophores and fluorophores as bulky pendant groups. Attention has to be paid to this phenomenon for the design of functional polyelectrolyte films, as aggregation may modify crucially the properties. The use of charged spacer groups does not necessarily suppress the aggregation of functional side groups. Still, clustering and aggregation depend on the detailed system employed, and are not obligatory. In the case of cationic poly(acrylamide)s labeled with naphthalene and pyrene fluorophores, for instance, the polymers form intramolecular hydrophobic associates in solution, as indicated by strong excimer formation. But the polymers can undergo a conformational rearrangement upon adsorption so that they are decoiled in the adsorbed films. Analogous observations are made for polyanions bearing mesogenic biphenyls fragments. In contrast, polycations functionalized with the dye coumarin 343 show little aggregation in solution, but a marked aggregation in the ESA films.     

The Morphology of Some Hydrothermally Synthesized Li-Minerals: A-Zeolite, α-Eucryptite, β-Spodumene and β-Eucryptite

The hydrothermal treatment of glass with the composition 2 LiF, Al₂O₃, 3 SiO₂ at 1 kbar in the range of 150 °C to 850 °C gave rise to the formation of A-zeolite with orthorhombic unit cell with å = 10.31 Å/b̊ = 8.18 Å/c̊ = 5.0 Å (space group Pna2₁), α-eucryptite, trigonal, å = 13.4 Å/bº = 13.4/Å/cº = 9.0 Å (space group R 3 ), β-spodumene, pseudocubic/tetragonal, å = 7.53 Å/b̊ = 7.53 Å/c̊ = 9.15 Å (space group P4₃2₁2), β-eucryptite, monoclinic, å = 7.75 Å/b̊ = 5.2 Å/c̊ = 11.16 Å (space group P6₂22). The morphology and development of the mineral phases depend on the temperature of formation.