Fabrication and thermal stability of two-dimensional carbide Ti3C2 nanosheets

Two-dimensional Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets were obtained by exfoliation of synthesized Ti 3 AlC 2 powders in 40% HF solution at room temperature. The influence of etching time on the synthesis, structural evolution during heating, and thermal stability of as-prepared Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets were studied. The graphene-like structure of as-prepared Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets was confirmed by XRD and SEM. TG–DTA and elemental analysis suggested that the OH and F groups attached on the surface of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets could be eliminated by heat treatment. It is noteworthy that Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets are thermal stable up to 1200   °C in Ar atmosphere. In the heating process, a small quantity of TiO 2 anatase emerges at 500   °C and then reacts with Ti 3 C 2 to form a solid solution of TiC x O 1− x (0< x <1) with the increase of temperature.