Changes in the Structural and Electrical Properties of Ti3C2Tx MXene Depending on Heat Treatment

Abstract

Ti3C2Tx MXene, which is a representative of the two-dimensional MXene family, is attracting considerable attention due to its remarkable physicochemical and mechanical properties. Despite its strengths, however, it is known to be vulnerable to oxidation. Many researchers have investigated the oxidation behaviors of the material, but most researches were conducted at high temperatures above 500 oC in an oxidation-retarding environment. In this research, we studied changes in the structural and electrical properties of Ti3C2Tx MXene induced by low-temperature heat treatments in ambient conditions. It was found that a number of TiO2 particles were formed on the MXene surface when it was mildly heated to 200 oC. Heating the material to higher temperatures, up to 400 oC, the phase transformation of Ti3C2Tx MXene to TiO2 was accelerated, resulting in a TiO2/ Ti3C2Tx hybrid. Consequently, the metallic nature of pure Ti3C2Tx MXene was transformed to semiconductive behavior upon heat-treating at ≥ 200 oC. The results of this research clearly demonstrate that Ti3C2Tx MXene may be easily oxidized even at low temperatures once it is exposed to air.