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On the Synthesis of Low-Cost, Titanium-Based MXenes

C. Li, S. Kota, C. Hu, M.W. Barsoum

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 7, No. 3 (2016), pp. 301-306

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2016-00042

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Abstract

Herein we report methods to synthesize two MAX phases, Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2, starting with rutile (TiO2), graphite and aluminum powders as raw materials. Adjusting the initial ratios of the raw materials led to the synthesis of multi-phase mixtures containing predominantly Ti2AlC-Al2O3 or Ti3AlC2-Al2O3. Free-standing Ti2CTx and Ti3C2Tx MXene films were successfully produced by etching the powders in a solution of hydrochloric acid with pre-dissolved lithium fluoride followed by sonication in water to produce colloidal suspensions of atomically thin MXene flakes. The Ti3C2Tx films produced from the lower-cost precursors retained the high electrical conductivity previously reported for this material. Since starting with rutile instead of Ti metal powders reduces the cost of the raw materials by a factor of about 2.6, this new, scalable approach to MXene synthesis is more economical.

Keywords

MAX phase, MXene, ceramics, 2D materials, nanomaterials

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