Effect of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Stability of MXene Aqueous Dispersion

MXenes suffer from severe oxidation and progressive degradation in aqueous media due to its poor chemical stability. Herein, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is employed as an efficient protectant for long-term storage of Ti3C2Tx-MXene aqueous dispersion. Experimental data support SDS's capability to protect oxidation-prone sites on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, providing extended colloidal stability of up to 213 days. Concentration-dependent anti-oxidation effect articulates that 1.5 mg mL(-1) is deemed as an ideal SDS dose for Ti3C2Tx to achieve optimal oxidation-resistance in aqueous solution. Additionally, a chroma strategy is developed to instantly and precisely measure the oxidation degree of Ti3C2Tx. Adsorption-driven anti-oxidation efficacy of SDS is further confirmed by optimized conformations with interaction energies of SDS on termination-free and surface-defective Ti3C2Tx through multiscale simulations. This proposed route is a step forward in broadening the horizons of experimental and theoretical investigations of MXenes with promising implications for long-term storage and reliable applications.

Automated summary

In this study, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used as an efficient protectant for long-term storage of Ti3C2Tx-MXene aqueous dispersion. Experimental data supports the capability of SDS to protect oxidation-prone sites on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, providing extended colloidal stability of up to 213 days.