Frontiers in Chemistry (Mar 2022)

Exfoliation of Al-Residual Multilayer MXene Using Tetramethylammonium Bases for Conductive Film Applications

  • Emi Saita,
  • Masaki Iwata,
  • Yuki Shibata,
  • Yuki Matsunaga,
  • Rie Suizu,
  • Rie Suizu,
  • Kunio Awaga,
  • Jun Hirotani,
  • Jun Hirotani,
  • Haruka Omachi,
  • Haruka Omachi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.841313
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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This study describes the concise exfoliation of multilayer Ti3C2Tx MXene containing residual aluminum atoms. Treatment with tetramethylammonium base in a co-solvent of tetrahydrofuran and H2O produced single-layer Ti3C2Tx, which was confirmed via atomic force microscopy observations, with an electrical conductivity 100+ times that of Ti3C2Tx prepared under previously reported conditions. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the exfoliated single-layer Ti3C2Tx MXenes were reconstructed to assembled large-domain layered films, enabling excellent macroscale electric conductivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the complete removal of residual Al atoms and the replacement of surface fluorine atoms with hydroxy groups. Using the exfoliated dispersion, a flexible transparent conductive film was formed and demonstrated in an electrical application.

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