Safer MXene Production: Electric Current Replaces Toxic Acid in Novel Method

Researchers at TU Wien in Vienna, Austria have developed a safer and more sustainable method for producing MXenes, a class of 2D materials with diverse applications. This innovative approach replaces the use of hazardous hydrofluoric acid with electric current for material exfoliation.

MXenes, known for their exceptional properties, have shown promise in energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, and solid-state lubrication, even in extreme environments. The traditional production method using hydrofluoric acid posed significant safety and environmental concerns, hindering widespread industrial adoption.

The new method involves applying an electrical voltage to MAX phases, which are materials composed of aluminum, titanium, and carbon layers. By carefully controlling the voltage, researchers selectively remove aluminum atoms, resulting in the desired MXene structure. Pulsed electric currents further enhance the process by creating hydrogen bubbles that clean and reactivate the material's surface, increasing MXene yields.

According to Pierluigi Bilotto from TU Wien's Tribology Research Group, electrochemistry offers an alternative to break up the aluminum compounds in the MAX phase. The resulting MXenes exhibit properties comparable to those produced using hydrofluoric acid. Bilotto envisions a future where MXene production is simplified and commonplace, potentially accessible even in a kitchen setting, paving the way for broader application of MXenes in various technological fields.