Flexible Free-Standing MoO3/Ti3C2Tz MXene Composite Films with High Gravimetric and Volumetric Capacities

Enhancing both the energy storage and power capabilities of electrochemical capacitors remains a challenge. Herein, Ti3C2Tz MXene is mixed with MoO3 nanobelts in various mass ratios and the mixture is used to vacuum filter binder free, open, flexible, and free-standing films. The conductive Ti3C2Tz flakes bridge the nanobelts, facilitating electron transfer; the randomly oriented, and interconnected, MoO3 nanobelts, in turn, prevent the restacking of the Ti3C2Tz nanosheets. Benefitting from these advantages, a MoO3/Ti3C2Tz film with a 8:2 mass ratio exhibits high gravimetric/volumetric capacities with good cyclability, namely, 837 C g(-1) and 1836 C cm(-3) at 1 A g(-1) for an approximate to 10 mu m thick film; and 767 C g(-1) and 1664 C cm(-3) at 1 A g(-1) for approximate to 50 mu m thick film. To further increase the energy density, hybrid capacitors are fabricated with MoO3/Ti3C2Tz films as the negative electrodes and nitrogen-doped activated carbon as the positive electrodes. This device delivers maximum gravimetric/volumetric energy densities of 31.2 Wh kg(-1) and 39.2 Wh L-1, respectively. The cycling stability of 94.2% retention ratio after 10 000 continuous charge/discharge cycles is also noteworthy. The high energy density achieved in this work can pave the way for practical applications of MXene-containing materials in energy storage devices.

Automated summary

The study on MoO3/Ti3C2Tz films demonstrates superior energy storage and power capabilities, laying the foundation for practical applications.