Solution-processed titanium carbide MXene films examined as highly transparent conductors

Abstract

MXenes, a new family of two-dimensional structures, have recently gained significant attention due to their unique physical properties suitable for a wide range of potential applications. Here we introduce Ti₃C₂T_x delaminated monolayers as ultrathin transparent conductors with properties exceeding comparable reduced graphene oxide films. Solution processed Ti₃C₂T_x films exhibit sheet resistances as low as 437 Ω sq^-1 with 77% transmittance at 550 nm. Field effect transistor measurements confirm that these films have a metallic nature, which makes them suitable as electrodes. We show using Kelvin Probe Atomic Force Microscopy that the work function of delaminated Ti₃C₂T_x flakes (with OH terminal groups) is 5.28 ± 0.03 eV. These results demonstrate that solution-processed Ti₃C₂T_x conducting films could open up a new direction for the next generation of transparent conductive electrodes.