A new etching environment (FeF3/HCl) for the synthesis of two-dimensional titanium carbide MXenes: a route towards selective reactivity vs. water. Issue 41 (13th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, X.; Garnero, C.; Rochard, G.; Magne, D.; Morisset, S.; Hurand, S.; Chartier, P.; Rousseau, J.; Cabioc'h, T.; Coutanceau, C.; Mauchamp, V.; Célérier, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 5:Issue 41(2017)
• Page Start: 22012
• Page End: 22023
• Publication Date: 2017-10-13
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ta01082f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Ti n C n −1 T x 2D-sheets are functionalized using a new etching environment allowing the modification of their surface chemistry and production of rationalized TiO2 @MXene nanocomposites. Abstract : The synthesis of Ti3 C2 T x (and Ti2 CT x alike) MXenes is performed with a new etching environment (FeF3 /HCl). Significant differences in terms of surface functionalization (including the insertion of iron cations between the MXene sheets), morphology, nature of impurities, water intercalation and reactivity are obtained in comparison with samples prepared by conventional HF or LiF/HCl etching methods. In particular, the new synthesis method allows modifying the reactivity of Ti3 C2 vs. water with improved selectivity towards the formation of TiO2 anatase nanoparticles on the MXene sheets whereas rutile TiO2 nanoparticles are favoured by the LiF/HCl method. The role of the Fe n + and Al 3+ cations inherent to this synthesis process in the inhibition of the anatase to rutile transformation is shown to be a key parameter. In addition, the MXene oxidation rate in water is also increased when the material is prepared with FeF3 /HCl compared to the LiF/HCl method owing to the surface modification of the MXene during the etching step. This oxidation rate can easily be tuned by adjusting the duration of immersion. This work expands the number of etching methods to form MXenes while offering new opportunities in the rationalized design of MXene@TiO2 nanocomposite structures for future applications.