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The Way Forward in MXenes Materials

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 3366

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Science and Engineering, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX 77058, USA
Interests: 2D nanomaterials; synthesis and engineering; surface-enhanced raman scattering; thermal transport in nanomaterials; electronic propoerties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
Interests: low-dimenssional advanced materials; 2D materials for energy and enviromental apalications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

MXenes have attracted significant attention in recent years as a new class of two-dimensional (2D) materials similar to Graphene nanosheets. These highly promising materials have unique properties and significant potential applications in various fields.

MXenes are transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides that can be synthesized from their corresponding MAX phases by selectively etching the A layer. They possess high electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, and a large surface area, making them ideal for applications such as energy storage, electronic devices, catalysis, environment, and biomedical devices.

As the field of MXenes advances, several research avenues can be explored to further the development of this exciting area. One area of research is to synthesize new MXenes with specific properties suitable for particular applications. Researchers can explore new MAX phases and develop new etching methods to produce MXenes with novel properties, such as improved conductivity or selectivity for catalytic reactions.

Another research area is the development of scalable synthesis methods for MXenes. Currently, most MXene synthesis methods are time consuming and labor intensive, which limits their practical applications. Therefore, developing more efficient and cost-effective synthesis methods will make MXenes more accessible for industrial applications. To unlock MXenes’ full potential, researchers need to investigate fundamental aspects, such as their electronic and optical properties, to better understand their behavior and potential applications. Studying MXenes under different conditions, such as temperature and pressure, can provide insights into their behavior and help identify new applications. Furthermore, exploring the potential applications of MXenes in various fields, such as energy storage, catalysis, and electronic devices, is highly beneficial. Their improved conductivity and hydrophilicity make them highly suitable for a wide range of potential applications, such as energy storage, polymer nanocomposite fillers, water purification, transparent optical conductive coatings, electromagnetic shielding/absorption, and electronic devices. MXenes have already demonstrated promising results in these areas, and further research will help optimize their properties for specific applications and develop new ones. Overall, the field of MXenes is still in its infancy, and there is vast potential for further research and development. Focusing on synthesis, fundamental properties, and applications can unlock the full potential of MXenes and advance the field toward practical applications.

We are pleased to invite you to submit to this Special Issue. We are seeking full papers, communications, and reviews that cover novel synthesis techniques, including fluoride-free synthesis and structure–property relationships, up-scaling, applications, and future directions of parent MAX phases, MXenes, and their derivatives and composite materials, among other relevant topics.

Dr. Tej B. Limbu
Dr. Asif Shahzad
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • MAX phase
  • 2D MXene
  • MXene derivatives
  • fluoride-free synthesis
  • energy storage
  • EMI
  • photovoltaic cell
  • catalysis
  • water purification

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 4436 KiB  
Article
The Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine and Uric Acid In Vivo Based on a 3D Reduced Graphene Oxide–MXene Composite Electrode
by Lingjun Shang, Ruijiao Li, Haojie Li, Shuaiqun Yu, Xuming Sun, Yi Yu and Qiongqiong Ren
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 1936; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29091936 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 372
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) are essential for many physiological processes in the human body. Abnormal levels of DA and UA can lead to multiple diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and gout. In this work, a three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide–MXene (3D rGO-Ti [...] Read more.
Dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) are essential for many physiological processes in the human body. Abnormal levels of DA and UA can lead to multiple diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and gout. In this work, a three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide–MXene (3D rGO-Ti3C2) composite electrode was prepared using a simple one-step hydrothermal reduction process, which could separate the oxidation potentials of DA and UA, enabling the simultaneous detection of DA and UA. The 3D rGO-Ti3C2 electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards both DA and UA. In 0.01 M PBS solution, the linear range of DA was 0.5–500 µM with a sensitivity of 0.74 µA·µM−1·cm−2 and a detection limit of 0.056 µM (S/N = 3), while the linear range of UA was 0.5–60 µM and 80–450 µM, with sensitivity of 2.96 and 0.81 µA·µM−1·cm−2, respectively, and a detection limit of 0.086 µM (S/N = 3). In 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) solution, the linear range of DA was 0.5–500 µM with a sensitivity of 0.41 µA·µM−1·cm−2 and a detection limit of 0.091 µM (S/N = 3). The linear range of UA was 2–500 µM with a sensitivity of 0.11 µA·µM−1·cm−2 and a detection limit of 0.6 µM (S/N = 3). The modified electrode exhibited advantages such as high sensitivity, a strong anti-interference capability, and good repeatability. Furthermore, the modified electrode was successfully used for DA measurement in vivo. This could present a simple reliable route for neurotransmitter detection in neuroscience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Way Forward in MXenes Materials)
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25 pages, 4338 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Surface Chemistry and Synthesis Conditions on the Adsorption of Antibiotics onto MXene Membranes
by Moyosore A. Afolabi, Dequan Xiao and Yongsheng Chen
Molecules 2024, 29(1), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010148 - 26 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 803
Abstract
MXene, a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial with diverse applications, has gained significant attention due to its 2D lamellar structure, abundance of surface groups, and conductivity. Despite various established synthesis methods since its discovery in 2011, MXenes produced through different approaches exhibit variations in structural [...] Read more.
MXene, a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial with diverse applications, has gained significant attention due to its 2D lamellar structure, abundance of surface groups, and conductivity. Despite various established synthesis methods since its discovery in 2011, MXenes produced through different approaches exhibit variations in structural and physicochemical characteristics, impacting their suitability for environmental application. This study delves into the effect of synthesis conditions on MXene properties and its adsorption capabilities for four commonly prescribed antibiotics. We utilized material characterization techniques to differentiate MXenes synthesized using three prevalent etchants: hydrofluoric acid (HF), mixed acids (HCl/HF), and fluoride salts (LiF/HCl). Our investigation of adsorption performance included isotherm and kinetic analysis, complemented by density functional theory calculations. The results of this research pinpointed LiF/HCl as an efficient etchant, yielding MXene with favorable morphology and surface chemistry. Electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding between MXene surface terminations and ionizable moieties of the antibiotic molecules emerge as pivotal factors in adsorption. Specifically, a higher presence of oxygen terminations increases the binding affinities. These findings provide valuable guidance for etchant selection in environmental applications and underscore the potential to tailor MXenes through synthesis conditions to design membranes capable of selectively removing antibiotics and other targeted substances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Way Forward in MXenes Materials)
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16 pages, 4080 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance by MXene, Graphene, and Ionic Liquids: A DFT Investigation
by Jianghui Cao, Sensen Xue, Jian Zhang, Xuefeng Ren, Liguo Gao, Tingli Ma and Anmin Liu
Molecules 2024, 29(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010002 - 19 Dec 2023
Viewed by 957
Abstract
The efficacy of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries crucially hinges on the sulfur immobilization process, representing a pivotal avenue for bolstering their operational efficiency and durability. This dissertation primarily tackles the formidable challenge posed by the high solubility of polysulfides in electrolyte solutions. Quantum chemical [...] Read more.
The efficacy of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries crucially hinges on the sulfur immobilization process, representing a pivotal avenue for bolstering their operational efficiency and durability. This dissertation primarily tackles the formidable challenge posed by the high solubility of polysulfides in electrolyte solutions. Quantum chemical computations were leveraged to scrutinize the interactions of MXene materials, graphene (Gr) oxide, and ionic liquids with polysulfides, yielding pivotal binding energy metrics. Comparative assessments were conducted with the objective of pinpointing MXene materials, with a specific focus on d-Ti3C2 materials, evincing augmented binding energies with polysulfides and ionic liquids demonstrating diminished binding energies. Moreover, a diverse array of Gr oxide materials was evaluated for their adsorption capabilities. Scrutiny of the computational outcomes unveiled an augmentation in the solubility of selectively screened d-Ti3C2 MXene and ionic liquids—vis à vis one or more of the five polysulfides. Therefore, the analysis encompasses an in-depth comparative assessment of the stability of polysulfide adsorption by d-Ti3C2 MXene materials, Gr oxide materials, and ionic liquids across diverse ranges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Way Forward in MXenes Materials)
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Review

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23 pages, 3707 KiB  
Review
Structure, Synthesis, and Catalytic Performance of Emerging MXene-Based Catalysts
by Zhengxiang Sun, Rui Wang, Vitaly Edwardovich Matulis and Korchak Vladimir
Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061286 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 785
Abstract
As traditional fossil fuel energy development faces significant challenges, two-dimensional layered materials have become increasingly popular in various fields and have generated widespread research interest. MXene is an exceptional catalytic material that is typically integrated into functional composite materials with other substances to [...] Read more.
As traditional fossil fuel energy development faces significant challenges, two-dimensional layered materials have become increasingly popular in various fields and have generated widespread research interest. MXene is an exceptional catalytic material that is typically integrated into functional composite materials with other substances to enhance its catalytic-reaction performance. Improving the thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical activity, as well as enhancing the specific surface structure, can make the material an excellent catalyst for photoelectrocatalysis and energy-regeneration reactions. The article mainly outlines the structural characteristics, preparation methods, and applications of MXene in the field of catalysis. This text highlights the latest progress and performance comparison of MXene-based catalytic functional materials in various fields such as electrochemical conversion, photocatalysis, renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon capture and conversion. It also proposes future prospects and discusses the current bottlenecks and challenges in the development of MXene-based catalytic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Way Forward in MXenes Materials)
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