Structure of Nanocrystalline Ti3C2 MXene Using Atomic Pair Distribution Function

The structures of nanocrystalline pristine, potassium hydroxide and sodium acetate intercalated new two- dimensional materials Ti C-3(2) MXenes were studied using the x- ray atomic pair distribution function technique. Pristine MXene has a hexagonal structure with a = b = 3.0505(5) angstrom, c = 19.86(2) angstrom (S.G. P63/mmc No. 194). Both hydroxyl and fluoride terminating species are present. The intercalation of K+ or Na+ ions expands the Ti3C2 layers perpendicular to the planes but shrinks the in-plane a and b lattice parameters.