Synthesis and Characterization of 2D Molybdenum Carbide (MXene)

Large scale synthesis and delamination of 2D Mo2CTx (where T is a surface termination group) has been achieved by selectively etching gallium from the recently discovered nanolaminated, ternary transition metal carbide Mo2Ga2C. Different synthesis and delamination routes result in different flake morphologies. The resistivity of free-standing Mo2CTx films increases by an order of magnitude as the temperature is reduced from 300 to 10 K, suggesting semiconductor-like behavior of this MXene, in contrast to Ti3C2Tx which exhibits metallic behavior. At 10 K, the magnetoresistance is positive. Additionally, changes in electronic transport are observed upon annealing of the films. When 2 mu m thick films are tested as electrodes in supercapacitors, capacitances as high as 700 F cm(-3) in a 1 M sulfuric acid electrolyte and high capacity retention for at least 10,000 cycles at 10 A g(-1) are obtained. Free-standing Mo2CTx films, with approximate to 8 wt% carbon nanotubes, perform well when tested as an electrode material for Li-ions, especially at high rates. At 20 and 131 C cycling rates, stable reversible capacities of 250 and 76 mAh g(-1), respectively, are achieved for over 1000 cycles.