Self-Assemble and In-Situ Formation of Laponite RDS-Decorated d-Ti3C2Tx Hybrids for Application in Lithium-ion Battery

Two-dimensional transition metal carbide materials called MXenes show potential application for energy storage. However, the lower capacity of MXene anodes limits their further application in lithium-ion batteries. d-Ti3C2Tx with less layered structure by intercalation and delamination of acoustic degradation method in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). This fabricated fewer sheets samples not only improve the electrical conductibility, specific area, but also reduce the ion diffusion resistance. Here we reported the facile synthesis of new laponite/d-Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites by the edge positive RDS nanosheets were assembled on negative MXene nanosheets through electrostatic interaction. Structure of laponite RDS/d-Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The characterization results show that the RDS nanosheets were intimately assembled on the d-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. The electrochemical properties of the developed nanocomposite as anode materials of lithium-ion batteries were characterized. Electrochemical tests indicate that the charge-discharge result of laponite RDS/d-Ti3C2Tx can deliver an initial specific discharge capacity of 458 mAh center dot g(-1) under a current density of 50 mA center dot g(-1). And a reversible discharge capacity of 160 mAh center dot g(-1) at a current density of 1000 mA center dot g(-1), which was significantly higher than that of pure Ti(3)C(2)Tx, laponite RDS. The exceptional electrochemical performance of laponite/d-Ti3C2Tx electrode could be attributed to the improvement of electronic conductivity by d-Ti3C2Tx and laponite in the laponite/d-Ti3C2Tx composite.