Applications of Few-Layer Nb2C MXene: Narrow-Band Photodetectors and Femtosecond Mode-Locked Fiber Lasers

Although the physicochemical properties of niobium carbide (Nb2C) have been widely investigated, their exploration in the field of photoelectronics is still at the infancy stage with many potential applications that remain to be exploited. Hence, it is demonstrated here that few-layer Nb2C MXene can serve as an excellent building block for both photoelectrochemical-type photodetectors (PDs) and mode-lockers. We show that the photoresponse performance can be readily adjusted by external conditions and that Nb2C NSs exhibit a great potential for narrow-band PDs. The demonstrated mechanism was further confirmed by work functions predicted by density functional theory calculations. In addition, as an optical switch for passively mode-locked fiber lasers, ultrastable pulses can be demonstrated in the telecommunication and mid-infrared regions for Nb2C MXene, and as high as the 69th harmonic order with 411 MHz at the center wavelength of 1882 nm can be achieved. These intriguing results indicate that few-layer Nb2C nanosheets can be used as building blocks for various photoelectronic devices, further broadening the application prospects of two-dimensional MXenes.

Automated summary

The physicochemical properties of niobium carbide have been widely explored, showing potential applications in photoelectronics. Few-layer Nb2C MXene can be used as a building block for photoelectrochemical-type photodetectors and mode-lockers, with adjustable photoresponse performance. Additionally, Nb2C nanosheets demonstrate stability in ultrastable pulses for optical switches and high harmonic orders in fiber lasers. These results expand the application prospects of two-dimensional MXenes in various photoelectronic devices.