Synthesis of intrinsically magnetic MBene via Molten Salt Etching of Mn2AlB2

As emerging nanomaterials, MBenes (two-dimensional transition metal borides) have attracted increasing attention, but synthesis strategies still face limitations. In this study, MnB MBene was successfully synthesized via molten salt etching of the Mn 2 AlB 2 precursor, with a systematic investigation of the effects of etching conditions on the etched products. Characterization revealed that under optimal conditions (a Mn 2 AlB 2 to ZnCl 2 molar ratio of 1:2, etching temperature of 650 °C, and etching time of 4 hours), the products exhibited high crystallinity and a well-defined thin-layer nanosheet structure. Furthermore, the intrinsic magnetism of the MnB MBene was investigated through macroscopic magnetic response and hysteresis loop analysis. Macroscopically, the MnB MBene powder demonstrates clear magnetism, as it is visibly attracted to a permanent magnet. The hysteresis loop analysis shows that the MnB MBene has a saturation magnetization of 42 emu/g and a coercivity of 228 Oe at room temperature. Moreover, temperature-dependent hysteresis loop measurements revealed that both saturation magnetization and coercivity decrease with increasing temperature, while the MnB MBene retains their magnetism even at 400 K.