Search Results (226)

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/montmorillonite (MMT)/Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) nanocomposite membranes (PVA/MMT/MXene) were developed and evaluated in terms of their mechanical properties, mesoporosity, and adsorption performance toward Pb²⁺ ions and methylene blue (MB). The incorporation of MMT and MXene resulted in a strong synergistic reinforcement, increasing the ultimate tensile strength from 10 to 20 MPa, the Young’s modulus from 14.7 to 29.5 MPa, and reducing the swelling ratio from 2.0 to 1.1 g·g⁻¹. BJH porosimetry revealed a refined and interconnected mesoporous structure, with the cumulative pore volume increasing from 0.134 to 0.448 cm³·g⁻¹. In adsorption experiments (mono-solute systems, 25 °C), the ternary membrane achieved high uptake capacities of 55 mg·g⁻¹ for Pb²⁺ and 80 mg·g⁻¹ for MB, outperforming binary PVA/MMT and neat PVA. Statistical–physics modeling provided microscopic descriptors consistent with the experimental isotherms: Pb²⁺ adsorption follows a monolayer regime (n ≈ 1), whereas MB exhibits multilayer behavior (n > 1) with a higher site density (Nm ≈ 1.6 mmol·g⁻¹). These results demonstrate that the hybrid 2D–2D architecture of MMT and MXene significantly enhances the structural robustness, pore accessibility, and adsorption efficiency of PVA-based membranes, highlighting their potential for efficient removal of metal ions and dyes from aqueous media. Full article

The future growth of alkali metal-based batteries requires an understanding of how ion size affects the exchange mechanisms. In this work, we present a direct, comparative electrochemical study of MXene-based electrodes mechanism vs. lithium (Li⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺) ions using the same electrochemical conditions. This controlled method enables an extensive investigation of the size-dependent interactions between the MXene structure and alkali metal ions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis of TMAOH-treated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene electrodes show that delamination and cycling alter vibrational modes and the surface chemistry. Voltage profile study reveals diverse storage behaviors: Li⁺ has a prominent intercalation plateau, Na⁺ shows intermediate properties, and K⁺ displays sloping profiles, indicating surface-dominated adsorption. The significant correlation between ionic radius and electrochemical reversibility is shown by long-term cycling data over 300 cycles, which show greater capacity retention and stability for Li⁺ and progressively lower performance for Na⁺ and K⁺. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into MXene–ion interactions and build the foundation for developing MXene-based materials for specific alkali-ion chemistries in next-generation energy storage devices. Full article

In the post-Moore’s Law era, conventional Von Neumann architectures face critical limitations, such as the “memory wall” and excessive power consumption, particularly when processing unstructured data. Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain, offers a promising solution through parallel processing and adaptive learning. Among the candidates for artificial synapses, memristors based on two-dimensional MXenes (specifically Ti₃C₂T_x) have attracted significant attention due to their unique layered structure, high metallic conductivity, and tunable physicochemical properties. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of MXene-based memristors, from material synthesis to system-level applications. We examine how different synthesis strategies, including etching methods, directly influence device performance and elucidate the underlying resistive switching mechanisms driven by ion migration, valence change, and interfacial processes. Furthermore, the review demonstrates the efficacy of MXenes in emulating biological synaptic functions—such as spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD)—and their application in tasks like handwritten digit recognition. Finally, we highlight emerging frontiers in flexible electronics and in-sensor computing, offering insights into the future trajectory of integrated sensing, memory, and computation. Full article

The application of MXene–polymer composites to wearable and implantable medical devices requires the development of hydrophilic and biocompatible MXene–polymer hydrogel composites with high electromechanical response, flexibility, and durability. Here, we formulate low weight percentage MXene–hydrogel copolymer inks enabling the direct light processing (DLP) of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–polyacrylic acid (PAA)–hydrogel composites. The low wt% MXene–PVA–PAA composites demonstrate high biocompatibility, mechanical flexibility, high sensitivity and high precision for sensing acute bending angles. The sub-millidegree angle resolution of these electromechanical sensors demonstrates their suitability for applications such as the highly precise tracking of joint movements. In addition, the synthesized MXene membranes show promise for applications in osmotic energy conversion, with a harvested electric power density of 6.79 Wm⁻². Full article

To overcome the typical limitations of conventional polyurethanes, including insufficient thermal stability, mechanical strength, and recyclability, this study presents a high-performance and reprocessable poly(urethane–urea) nanocomposite reinforced with Ti₃C₂T_x MXene (MX-AHPU). The formation of strong hydrogen bonds between the urea groups of the polymer and the oxygen-functionalized MXene surface was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, and XPS, which also verified the complete reaction of –NCO groups. MXene incorporation substantially improved thermal stability, as evidenced by TGA showing a higher onset decomposition temperature and increased char residue. DSC analysis indicated a raised glass transition temperature, reflecting restricted chain mobility. The composite demonstrated remarkable mechanical enhancement, with tensile strength increasing by 70% to 26.7 MPa and toughness rising by 28% to 311.8 MJ·m⁻³, while maintaining exceptional elongation (>3600%). Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a lower activation energy for stress relaxation (26.6 kJ/mol for MX-AHPU, 30.9 kJ/mol for neat AHPU), indicating enhanced molecular mobility and energy dissipation. Importantly, the material exhibited excellent recyclability, retaining most of its mechanical performance after three reprocessing cycles due to the reversible nature of the interfacial hydrogen bonds. This work provides an effective strategy for designing sustainable, high-performance polyurethane–urea composites suitable for demanding applications such as flexible electronics and advanced coatings. Full article

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and strong broadband light absorption. However, their practical implementation is often limited by structural instability, such as restacking and surface oxidation. In this study, we propose a strategy for the design of hybrid nanocomposites based on exfoliated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene embedded within a porous silica (SiO₂) matrix and further functionalized with cerium dioxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles. The SiO₂ matrix, synthesized via a sol–gel approach, ensures homogeneous dispersion, increased porosity, and thermal stability, effectively reducing MXene restacking. Simultaneously, CeO₂ nanoparticles create surface oxygen vacancies and enhance interfacial reactivity. Comprehensive structural, morphological, surface, and optical characterizations confirm the formation of stable, light-responsive nanoarchitectures with tailored textural properties. Furthermore, the obtained material exhibit promising photothermal-catalytic properties. This work offers a materials-oriented approach for engineering multifunctional MXene-based architectures with enhanced photothermal performance, exemplified by their potential application in the photothermo-catalytic CO₂ conversion into solar fuels, showcasing the broader possibilities enabled by these materials. Full article

The escalating severity of microplastic pollution and oily wastewater discharge has intensified the demand for recyclable, multifunctional, and environmentally benign materials. In this study, we present a composite polyurethane (PU) sponge constructed through the synergistic integration of cuttlefish-ink nanoparticles (CINPs), Ti₃C₂T_X MXene, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The synergistic CINP@MXene framework imparts high photothermal conversion efficiency and structural stability, while the PDMS coating confers superhydrophobicity. The resulting sponge demonstrates efficient oil absorption and oil–water separation capabilities, alongside a stable photothermal response, achieving a temperature of 84.1 °C within 10 s under 1.5 Sun irradiation. Notably, the sponge absorbed approximately 0.05 g of crude oil within 10 s, the saturated absorption capacity of crude oil under 1.5 solar days was 24.52 g/g, and the adsorption rate of 5 g crude oil within 4 min was 91.4%. Furthermore, it exhibits remarkable adsorption performance toward common microplastics and nanoplastics. Overall, the CINPs@MXene/PU/PDMS sponge represents a versatile and scalable platform with significant potential for addressing challenges in oily wastewater treatment, solar-assisted oil recovery, and microplastic remediation, thereby contributing to sustainable environmental protection efforts. Full article

The intrinsic limitations of Ti₃C₂T_x electrodes, specifically low interfacial charge-transfer efficiency and structural degradation in strongly acidic environments, hinder their performance in high-rate aqueous supercapacitors. Herein, we report a synergistic strategy combining nitrogen plasma surface engineering with a redox-active ascorbic acid electrolyte to optimize the electrode/electrolyte interfacial kinetics. By systematic investigation, the Ti₃C₂T_x supercapacitor obtained by a 10-min plasma duration (N10P-AA) achieved the optimal balance between activating surface sites and preserving the conductive Ti–C framework integrity. The ascorbic acid electrolyte broadened the potential window to approximately 0.7 V, and N10P-AA exhibited the lowest charge-transfer impedance and superior rate capability, retaining a relatively high Coulombic efficiency (>72%) even at a high scan rate of 10,000 mV·s⁻¹. The EIS results and kinetics analysis (b values) confirmed that the moderate plasma activation effectively promoted more surface-dominated charge storage kinetics and mitigated diffusion limitation, consistent with reduced charge-transfer resistance and a smaller Warburg slope. The XPS results revealed that the 10-min treatment suppressed detrimental oxidation during cyclings and facilitated the formation of electrochemically favorable hydroxylated surface functional groups. This work demonstrates a feasible surface electrolyte co-engineering strategy for modulating the interfacial behavior of MXene, which is of great significance for future high-efficiency aqueous electrochemical energy storage and potential biosensing applications. Full article

The reliable integration of high-performance noble metal interfaces with flexible substrates is a key requirement for wearable electronics. However, achieving uniform, mechanically robust and functionally active coatings on fabric surfaces remains highly challenging. This study reports the atomic-layered-deposition (ALD) growth of platinum (Pt) on textile at low temperatures. Through ozone plasma-assisted activation technology, Pt nucleation can be achieved at 100 °C, forming a dense and defect-suppressed Pt layer that substantially increases the surface oxygen functional groups and enhances binding affinity. The resulting Pt layer also significantly enhances the adsorption behavior and sensing performance of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene gel inks on textile. At the atomic scale, the engineered Pt–MXene interface promotes stronger adsorption of MXene sheets and establishes efficient electron/ion transport pathways within the gel network. Ultimately, the conductive textile treated with Pt functionalized layers (MXene/Pt@textile) exhibits significantly enhanced sensing sensitivity and signal stability, enabling precise detection of human motions, pressure, and subtle physiological vibrations. The synergistic effect of ALD Pt layers and MXene gel inks creates a textile platform combining robustness, breathability, and high responsiveness. Full article

With the rapid advancements in industrial technology, the demand for high-performance lubrication has surpassed the capabilities of traditional solid or liquid lubricants. In this study, a novel MXene-based solvent-free lubricating nanofluid was developed through the surface functionalization of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets. This innovative material combines the superior mechanical properties of solid Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets with the stable flow and rapid self-repairing capabilities of liquid lubricants. The successful synthesis of the MXene-based solvent-free nanofluid lubricant was confirmed through a series of characterization techniques, and it was demonstrated that this nanofluid maintained excellent flowability at room temperature. Subsequent tribological tests revealed that the friction coefficient and the wear performance of the MXene-based solvent-free nanofluid lubricant improved with increasing mass concentrations of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets under consistently applied loads. These results indicate that the MXene-based solvent-free nanofluid lubricant significantly reduces friction and wear, showcasing its potential as a high-performance lubricant for industrial applications. Full article

Tea polyphenols (TP) offer health benefits, but their stability is compromised by sensitivity to environmental factors, limiting their applications. Developing stimulus-responsive delivery systems that precisely control TP release is essential. This study prepared novel hydrogel beads encompassing carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), sodium alginate (SA), and MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) using a blending method for the sustained release of TP. After being exposed to 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) radiation, the beads demonstrated excellent stability in simulated gastric conditions, resulting from the pH-dependent solubilization, facilitating controlled TP release under simulated intestinal conditions. The drug release kinetics conformed to the Ritger–Peppas model. Notably, CMC-SA-MXene@TP exhibited strong antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and E. coli (ATCC 25922). Additionally, according to in vitro cellular assays, they exhibited good biocompatibility with normal liver cells (HL-7702) and could effectively inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). These hydrogel beads, featuring excellent pH and NIR responsiveness, biocompatibility, drug loading efficiency, antioxidant capability, and antibacterial activity, represent promising candidates for advanced wound dressings or oral drug delivery systems for modulating intestinal flora. Full article

To address the bottleneck of insufficient broadband sound insulation performance of traditional sound insulation materials at the subwavelength scale, this paper designs a composite subwavelength sound insulation unit (size: 20 mm × 20 mm × 5 mm) composed of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene, and PZT-5H piezoelectric ceramics, and porous aluminum alloy. Based on the electromagnetic-structural-acoustic multi-physics field coupling theory, the regulation laws of external electric field intensity and effect of MXene layer number on sound insulation performance are systematically investigated via numerical simulation, and the sound insulation enhancement mechanism dominated by dielectric tunability is clarified. The results show that the dielectric constant of MXene increases monotonically with the external electric field intensity, and the optimal regulation sensitivity is achieved when the layer number N = 3; when the electric field intensity increases from 0 V to 500 V, the equivalent density of the system increases from 1.25 g/cm³ to 1.87 g/cm³, the acoustic impedance increases from 3.42 × 10⁶ Pa·s/m³ to 5.13 × 10⁶ Pa·s/m³, the average transmission loss TL in the 200–600 Hz frequency band is increased by 2 dB compared with the state without electric field, and the sound pressure on the transmission side is reduced by 3.56% at 400 Hz; the vibration displacement of PZT decreases from 0.0055 mm to nearly 0 mm with the increase in electric field, and the electric field energy density increases from 0 J/m³ to 7.47056 × 10³ J/m³, verifying the core mechanism of converting electromagnetic energy into structural damping through dielectric loss. This study supplements parameter sensitivity analysis and literature benchmark comparison to compensate for the lack of experimental data, confirming the stability and rationality of the simulation results. The established cross-field coupling framework of “dielectric regulation–density optimization–impedance matching–sound insulation enhancement” fills the theoretical gap of the coupling mechanism of MXene in the field of subwavelength sound insulation, and provides new theoretical and technical pathways for the design of broadband active sound insulation materials in the 200–1000 Hz frequency range. Full article

The global decarbonisation strategy has accelerated the shift toward renewable energy and electric transport, demanding advanced electrochemical energy storage systems. Conventional anodes such as graphite and silicon composites face challenges in conductivity, stability and cycling performance. MXenes, a class of two-dimensional (2D) materials, offer promising alternatives owing to their metallic conductivity, tunable surface chemistry and high theoretical capacity. Here, we synthesise and characterise Mo₂TiC₂T_x and V₂CT_x (T = O, OH, F and/or Cl) MXenes for lithium-ion battery anodes and supercapacitors. Unlike Ti₃C₂T_x, which stores charge via intercalation and surface redox reactions, Mo₂TiC₂T_x and V₂CT_x exhibit conversion-type mechanisms. We also identify novel V₂C–VO_x heterostructures, achieving a specific capacitance of 532.4 F g⁻¹ at 2 mV s⁻¹ and an initial capacity of 493.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹ in lithium half-cells, with a low decay rate of 0.071% per cycle over 200 cycles. Pristine Mo₂TiC₂T_x shows 391.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹, decaying by 0.109% per cycle. These results experimentally validate theoretical predictions, revealing how MXene structure and transition metal chemistry govern electrochemical behaviour, thus guiding electrode design for next-generation batteries and supercapacitors. Full article

Lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries are renowned for their high theoretical energy density and low cost, yet their practical implementation is hampered by the polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics. Herein, a sol–gel strategy is proposed to engineer a multifunctional MXene/Fe₃O₄ composite as an efficient mediator for the cathode interlayer. The synthesized composite features Fe₃O₄ nanospheres uniformly anchored on the highly conductive Ti₃C₂T_x MXene lamellae, forming a unique 0D/2D conductive network. This structure not only provides abundant polar sites for strong chemical adsorption of polysulfides but also significantly enhances charge transfer, thereby accelerating the conversion kinetics. As a result, the Li-S battery based on the MXene/Fe₃O₄ interlayer delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 1367.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C and maintains a stable capacity of 1103.4 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, demonstrating an exceptionally low capacity decay rate of only 0.19% per cycle. Even at a high rate of 1 C, a remarkable capacity of 1066.1 mAh g⁻¹ is retained. Electrochemical analyses confirm the dual role of the composite in effectively suppressing the shuttle effect and catalyzing the polysulfide conversion. This sol–gel engineering approach offers valuable insight into the design of high-performance mediators for advanced Li-S batteries. Full article

We report an interracially engineered Co₃O₄@Ti₃C₂T_x MXene hybrid as a high-rate charge-storage electrode. Low-temperature assembly under inert conditions preserves the MXene carbide while anchoring nanocrystalline Co₃O₄ on conductive, ion-permeable sheets. XRD and FTIR confirm the structural integrity of MXene without TiO₂ formation. Electrochemically, cyclic voltammetry, Dunn analysis, and galvanostatic tests reveal mixed storage with a dominant pseudocapacitive contribution, while EIS fitting shows reduced charge-transfer resistance for the hybrid compared with either parent. Within a 0.6 V window in 2 M KOH, the composite delivers high specific charge and excellent rate retention, attributable to shortened diffusion paths and fast electron transport at the oxide–MXene interface. These results establish Co₃O₄@MXene as a robust, mechanism-consistent platform for high-power supercapacitors. Full article