Exfoliation of Al-Residual Multilayer MXene Using Tetramethylammonium Bases for Conductive Film Applications

Abstract

This study describes the concise exfoliation of multilayer Ti₃C₂T _<i>x</i> MXene containing residual aluminum atoms. Treatment with tetramethylammonium base in a co-solvent of tetrahydrofuran and H₂O produced single-layer Ti₃C₂T _<i>x</i> , which was confirmed <i>via</i> atomic force microscopy observations, with an electrical conductivity 100+ times that of Ti₃C₂T _<i>x</i> prepared under previously reported conditions. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the exfoliated single-layer Ti₃C₂T _<i>x</i> MXenes were reconstructed to assembled large-domain layered films, enabling excellent macroscale electric conductivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the complete removal of residual Al atoms and the replacement of surface fluorine atoms with hydroxy groups. Using the exfoliated dispersion, a flexible transparent conductive film was formed and demonstrated in an electrical application.