Two-dimensional MXene Ti3C2 produced by exfoliation of Ti3AlC2

MXene , a new family of 2D materials , possesses excellent electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity . To date, the majority of MXenes are only successfully produced by exfoliating the MAX phases with high concentration hydrofluoric acid (HF). In this study, the 2D MXene Ti 3 C 2 with larger interplanar spacing was successfully obtained by etching Ti 3 AlC 2 with bifluoride (NaHF 2 , KHF 2 , NH 4 HF 2 ) in single-stage process. The morphology, structure and element composition of prepared Ti 3 C 2 samples were characterized by scanning electron smicroscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The synthesis mechanism of Ti 3 C 2 was elaborately demonstrated. The possible reaction equations between Ti 3 AlC 2 and different bifluorides were generalized, indicating the formation of hydrosoluble by-products of Na 3 AlF 6, K 3 AlF 6 and (NH 4 ) 3 AlF 6 . This work presents a safely effective method to synthesize the 2D nanocrystals MXene.