Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications of MXenes

A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering,

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

http://nano.materials.drexel.edu E-mail: [email protected]

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) early transition metal carbides, nitrides, oxycarbides, carbonitrides, and related structures with a general formula of MXT, where M is a transition metal, X is carbon or nitrogen (oxygen substitution is possible), T represents the surface terminations (O, OH, halogens, chalcogens, etc.), and n = 1 -- 4. About 100 MXMXene compositions have already been reported. Still, the number of possible compositions is infinite if one considers solid solutions and combinations of surface terminations. MXenes have opened an era of computationally driven atomistic design of 2D materials. MXenes possess electronic, optical, mechanical, and electrochemical properties that differentiate them from other materials. Most MXenes are metals but have a tunable density of states at the Fermi level. Moreover, their properties are tunable by design. They can be modulated using an ionotronic approach, leading to breakthroughs in fields ranging from optoelectronics, electromagnetic interference shielding, and communication to energy storage, catalysis, sensing, and healthcare. In multiple applications, such as electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management, MXenes have already outperformed other materials. Their extreme strength and useful functional properties are the key to developing assembled multifunctional materials with a combination of properties unavailable in any known single material. In this talk, I'll discuss their scalable synthesis from inexpensive precursors, the structure and surface chemistry of MXenes, their properties, and selected applications ranging from energy storage to thermal management.

Prof. Yury Gogotsi is a Distinguished University Professor and Bach Endowed Chair in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University (Philadelphia, USA). He is the founding Director of the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute. He is credited with principal contributions to developing materials for electrochemical capacitors, the discovery of a large family of 2D carbides and nitrides known as MXenes, and tuning porosity of carbide-derived carbons with sub-nanometer accuracy. He published the first microscopic observation of water inside carbon nanotubes, discovered polygonal nanotubes (graphite polyhedral crystals), and invented the field of high-pressure surface science. The impact of his work is demonstrated by over 330,000 citations. The 2024 Stanford List placed Gogotsi 21 among all scientists in all disciplines and 2 in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology worldwide.