Water-dispersible Ti3C2Tz MXene nanosheets by molten salt etching.

ABSTRACT: Molten-salt etching of Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase offers a promising route to produce 2D Ti₃C₂T_z (MXene) nanosheets without hazardous HF. However, molten-salt etching results in MXene clays that are not water dispersible, thus preventing further processing. This occurs because molten-salt etching results in a lack of -OH terminal groups rendering the MXene clay hydrophobic. Here, we demonstrate a method that produces water-dispersible Ti₃C₂T_z nanosheets using molten salt (SnF₂) to etch. In molten salt etching, SnF₂ diffuses between the layers to form AlF₃ and Sn as byproducts, separating the layers. The stable, aqueous Ti₃C₂T_z dispersion yields a

SUBMITTER: Arole K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8607195 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature