%J Materials Chemistry and Physics
%X This work describes a novel and rapid strategy to produce delaminated MXene sheets from the MAX phase. The current method uses a novel microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to etch aluminium (Al) from the MAX phase (as well as delaminate) within 2 h of processing which has remarkably reduced time from up to 48 h to 30 min and temperature from 180 to 40 °C. A range of characterizations was carried out to evaluate the properties of the MXene. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited the spectra typical of Ti3C2Tx extracted from Ti3AlC2 after rapid etching of Al. These results were complemented by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, UV�visible absorption spectrum, and BET absorption-desorption curves. The results depicted the formation of high-quality MXene with negligible Al traces, which confirms the efficacy of the current method. This work not only establishes a comprehensive methodology for rapidly synthesizing high-quality MXene in bulk quantities but also opens up new avenues for its commercial applications. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
%I Elsevier Ltd
%L scholars16430
%A A. Numan
%A S. Rafique
%A M. Khalid
%A H.A. Zaharin
%A A. Radwan
%A N.A. Mokri
%A O.P. Ching
%A R. Walvekar
%K Absorption spectroscopy; Aluminum compounds; Titanium compounds; Transmission electron microscopy; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy, 'current; 2d material; High quality; Hydrothermal methods; MAX-phase; Microwave etching; Microwave-assisted; Microwave-assisted hydrothermal; Mxenes; Paradigm shifts, Etching
%O cited By 19
%V 288
%T Microwave-assisted rapid MAX phase etching and delamination: A paradigm shift in MXene synthesis
%D 2022
%R 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126429