Ag Nanoparticles decorated few-layer Nb2CTx nanosheets architectures with superior lithium/sodium-ion storage

Nb2CTx MXene, especially the 2D few-layer Nb2CTx nanosheets is an electrode material which is potential for lithium/sodium-ion storage. However, it has always been a challenge to prepare the Nb2CTx nanosheets. Meanwhile, the re-stacking and low conductivity of Nb2CTx nanosheets inhibit its electrochemical activity. Here, we use a simple method to prepare Nb2CTx nanosheets with acid etching and ultrasonic processing. And the Nb2CTx nanosheets modified with Ag nanoparticles are prepared by simple physical mixing and vacuum filtration. The Ag nanoparticles can inhibit the re-stacking of Nb2CTx nanosheets, thus increasing the specific surface area, besides, it contains abundant free electrons leading to enhancing the conductivity of the electrode, which ensures a large electrochemical active surface area and rapid charge transport of the electrode. In lithium-ion storage, the Ag-Nb2CTx exhibits a high capacity of 481 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 A g(-1) after 50 cycles and 187 mAh g(-1) at 5.00 A g(-1) after 2000 cycles. A capacity of 183 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 A g(-1) after 50 cycles and 86 mAh g(-1) at 5.00 A g(-1) after 1000 cycles are obtained for sodium-ion storage. The Ag-Nb2CTx exhibits superior electrochemical performance, which endows its capability to serve as a superior candidate for electrode material. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Researchers have developed a simple method to prepare Nb2CTx nanosheets with acid etching and ultrasonic processing. The addition of Ag nanoparticles inhibits the re-stacking of the nanosheets, increasing the conductivity and specific surface area of the electrode. The Ag-Nb2CTx material exhibits superior electrochemical performance for lithium/sodium-ion storage.