Comprehensive synthesis of TiCT from MAX phase to MXene.

MXenes are a large family of two-dimensional materials that have attracted attention across many fields due to their desirable optoelectronic, biological, mechanical and chemical properties. There currently exist many synthesis procedures that lead to differences in flake size, defects and surface chemistry, which in turn affect their properties. Herein, we describe the steps to synthesize TiCT-the most important and widely used MXene, from a TiAlC MAX phase precursor.

Ultralarge Flakes of TiCT MXene Soft Delamination.

Two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide MXene (TiCT) has attracted significant attention due to its combination of properties and great promise for various applications. The size of the 2D sheets is a critical parameter affecting multiple properties of assembled films, fibers and 3D structures. The increased lateral size of MXene flakes can benefit not only their assemblies by improving the interflake contacts and alignment but also fundamental studies at the individual flake level, allowing for facile patterning and investigation of intrinsic physical properties of MXenes.