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From 2011 to now: How did MXenes quickly become the stars of materials science?
In the field of materials science, MXenes are undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching emerging materials in recent years. Since first reported by scientists at Drexel University in 2011, MXenes have quickly attracted the attention of researchers around the world for their unique structure and properties. These two-dimensional compounds derived from transition metals are widely used in many fields such as energy storage, catalysis, and electronics due to their excellent electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical properties, and diverse surface chemistries.
It is amazing that materials like MXenes have transformed from scientific research achievements into star materials with unlimited application prospects in just ten years.
Structure and synthesis of MXenes
MXenes are composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides and usually appear in a layered structure. MXenes are named in the form of Mn+1XnTx, where M represents the metal element, X represents carbon or nitrogen, and T represents the surface termination group. This structure enables MXenes to exhibit good electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
MXenes are mainly synthesized through selective etching. This synthesis technology is not only scalable but also maintains the properties of the material. In this process, scientists use strong fluorine-containing etching solutions, such as hydrofluoric acid or lithium chloride, to remove the middle A-layer elements to extract MXenes. Recently, demands in different fields such as dirty water treatment and biomedicine have continued to stimulate the evolution of MXenes synthesis methods.
Properties of MXenes
One of the greatest features of MXenes is their high electron density and metallization properties, which make them excellent in a variety of applications. Research shows that MXenes can effectively adsorb and store ions, especially showing excellent performance in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries. For example, Ti3C2 MXene is significantly more efficient than traditional materials in removing ions and remains stable in different environments.
Research shows that Ti3C2 MXene exhibits up to 100 times the ion adsorption capacity in a flowing electrode deionization device, showing its potential to control water pollution.
Potential applications and future prospects
MXenes have a wide range of potential applications, including batteries, supercapacitors, photocatalysis, gas sensors, and biomedicine. Especially when it comes to electrical energy storage, MXenes outperform many traditional materials. Researchers are exploring the use of MXenes in advanced electronic devices and energy systems. These applications are not limited to batteries. Their high conductivity and tunable properties make them also have good prospects in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics.
With a deeper understanding of the synthesis and application pathways of MXenes, future research will likely open up more innovative application areas, thereby changing our lifestyles.
Conclusion
Since 2011, the rapid rise of MXenes has attracted widespread attention from academia and industry. The continued evolution and application exploration of this material heralds countless opportunities in the future. With the continuous advancement of technology, can MXenes finally break through the limitations of existing materials and become the core material of the new era of science and technology in the future?
