Facile synthesis of MXene from MAX phase via Hydrothermal method using a mild etchant

Abstract

The present study explains an effective and efficient synthesis of MXene (Ti3C2TX) from MAX phase (Ti3AlC2) via hydrothermal method in presence of a mild etchant that is an affordable, safe, easy to handle and environmentally friendly approach. The successful synthesis of MXene from MAX phase was explained on the basis of shifting of (002) plane towards lower angle with significantly enhancement in the corresponding FWHM of the peak, which demonstrates the enhanced interlayer spacing of MXene sheets. The lower intensity of peak corresponding to (104) plane shows removal of aluminum layer from MAX phase with a very small quantity of aluminum content as analyzed from X-ray diffractogram and EDS spectrum. The enhanced interlayer spacing are also clearly visible in FESEM images and comes out to be an average of ∼42 nm. The elemental distribution mapping shows the purity of MXene with fluorine as a functional group because of using mild fluoride etchant. The optical and electrochemical properties also support the synthesis of efficient and high purity MXene. The synthesized MXene can be proven as a promising material for a wide variety of applications from environmental remediation to electrochemical sensing and energy storage, leading to their increasing popularity in the research and scientific field.

Keywords

• MXene
• Hydrothermal method
• Ammonium fluoride
• EIS and BET analysis