Synthesis of Accordion‐like Ti3CN MXene and its Structural Stability in Aqueous Solutions and Organic Solvents

Abstract

AbstractMXene materials have shown promising applications in selective separation membranes and many other fields. However, their structural stability which is critically important to applications in the presence of aqueous solutions and organic solvents remains largely unexplored. In this work, we have conducted a systematic study on the synthesis of accordion‐like Ti3CN MXene and its stability in aqueous solutions, ethanol and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). Based on the XRD, SEM and TEM results, 20 % HF acid and an etching time of 24 h is regarded as the optimal parameter to synthesize accordion‐like Ti3CN MXene. Ti3CN MXene exhibits limited stability in the aqueous solutions. Ti3CN MXene partially transforms to anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in pH=1 and 7 aqueous solutions, and amorphous TiO2 nanowires in pH=14 aqueous solution after a 7‐day test at 25 °C. When the testing temperature is increased to 80 °C, this structure transformation rate is increased remarkably. Meanwhile, Ti3CN MXene shows excellent stability in C2H5OH and DMF up to 7‐day at 25 and 80 °C, respectively. It is believed that these findings are helpful for guiding the controllable synthesis of Ti3CN MXene and seeking the potential applications in the presence of aqueous solutions, ethanol and DMF.