Investigation of the Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on Delamination of MXene Ti3C2Tx Particles

Abstract

By the method of selective etching of Ti₃AlC₂ in HF solution using ultrasonic treatment, samples of Ti₃C₂T_x, where T_x is an F^– or OH-group, have been obtained. The main stages occurring during etching and intercalation of layered structures of the MXene type have been determined and described, including formation of transcrystalline cracks in MAX-phase crystals, separation of MXene packages from each other, emergence of the layered structure, as well as complete delamination with the formation of single Ti₃C₂T_x plates. The best degree of separation has been observed in the sample obtained by 6-h ultrasonic treatment with HF solution followed by additional ultrasonic treatment for 2 h. It has been found that the use of ultrasonic treatment increases the etching rate of the original precursor and increases the degree of delamination.