Synthesis of Ti3C2Tz MXene from low-cost and environmentally friendly precursors

Herein we report an approach to synthesis Ti3AlC2 MAX phase and Ti3C2Tz MXene from low-cost precursors, viz. recycled carbon recovered from waste tire, recycled aluminum scrap, and titanium oxide. By adjusting the ratios of the initial materials, we determined that 3TiO(2)+6Al+1.9C resulted in the purest sample of Ti3AlC2 when heated at 1,350 degrees C for 1 h. The MXene phase was synthesized by modified minimally intensive layer delamination and acid etching under N-2 purging. The final Ti3C2Tz films demonstrated conductivity of 5857 +/- 680 S/cm and capacitance of 285 F/g (1,012 F/cm(3)) at 20 mV/s scan rates, which are comparable with that produced from MAX phase of high-purity elemental precursors (viz. Ti, Al and C). Choosing readily available and inexpensive precursor materials such as these allows for a drastic reduction in production cost of the MXene, as well as reducing the environmental impact of the industry. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

The study presents a method to synthesize Ti3AlC2 MAX phase and Ti3C2Tx MXene from low-cost precursors, achieving high purity samples and excellent conductivity and capacitance through adjusted material ratios and modified synthesis processes.