Harnessing the Power of Nano-Ferroelectrics: BaTiO3/MXene (Ti3C2Tx) Composites for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Abstract

2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene is a desirable electrode material for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the pursuit of high energy and power densities, owing to its extensive reactive area and surface-induced pseudo-capacitance. Here, a novel synergistic strategy for fortifying lithium storage capability is first proposed, by in-situ anchoring BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles on few-layered Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets (BT/f-Ti₃C₂T_x) using a hydrothermal method. The uniform BaTiO₃ nanoparticles effectively prevent the restacking of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets, successfully deplete metastable Ti atoms, and intriguingly form a thin and well-adhered solid electrolyte interface layer, enhancing the aggregation-resistant, oxidation-resistant, and electrochemical properties of Ti₃C₂T_x. Simultaneously, the internal electric fields, originating from the spontaneous polarization of BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles, can augment the adsorption of Li⁺, boosting the lithium storage capacity and reaction kinetics. The resulting composite electrode displays a remarkable charge capacity of 84 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹, almost five times that of pristine Ti₃C₂T_x electrode. The excellent rate performance and cyclability make BT/f-Ti₃C₂T_x composites highly attractive for LIBs. Furthermore, this synthetic approach presented here is scalable and can be extended to other Ti-based materials. This strategy is expected to underscore the considerable potential of ferroelectric composites for integration into high-performance LIBs.