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Fluoride-free synthesis and long-term stabilization of MXenes

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  • FOCUS ISSUE: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of 2D Mxenes
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Abstract

MXenes are a promising class of two-dimensional materials that have shown tremendous actual and future potential, particularly in the field of energy storage and conversion. This is due to their ideal properties, such as high electronic conductivity, hydrophilicity, tunable surface chemistry, and excellent mechanical stability. Unfortunately, broad-based adoption of MXenes remains limited due to their environmental impact and stability concerns. From an environmental standpoint, using HF during conventional MXene synthesis is dangerous and harmful to the environment. MXenes are also generally unstable in air and high moisture environments, oxidizing easily to form their respective metal oxides and amorphous carbon deposits. In this review, we summarize various fluoride-free etching techniques, such as HCl electrochemical etching, Lewis acid molten salt etching, and halogen-based etching. This is followed by a discussion of various processes reported to improve the MXenes’ oxidative resistance, namely post-synthesis annealing/processing, stabilizing additives, and aqueous-free/organic synthesis.

Graphical abstract

Making MXenes more environmentally friendly and oxidation shelf-stable: Through modifying the MXene synthesis procedure, MXenes can be produced without using environmentally hazardous hydrofluoric acid (HF), increasing its potential for mass market usability. Additionally, post-synthesis procedures can produce MXenes with improved oxidative resistance, prolonging their use in ambient environments.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF-NRFF2017-04) and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (Central Research Fund Award and Singapore National Science Scholarship (PhD)).

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  1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore, 138634, Singapore

    Andrew Jun Yao Wong, Kang Rui Garrick Lim & Zhi Wei Seh

  2. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Kang Rui Garrick Lim

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Wong, A.J.Y., Lim, K.R.G. & Seh, Z.W. Fluoride-free synthesis and long-term stabilization of MXenes. Journal of Materials Research 37, 3988–3997 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-022-00680-5

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