Can magnetotransport properties provide insight into the functional groups in semiconducting MXenes?

Hall scattering factors of Sc2CF2, Sc2CO2 and Sc2C(OH)(2) are calculated using Rode's iterative approach by solving the Boltzmann transport equation. This is carried out in conjunction with calculations based on density functional theory. The electrical transport in Sc2CF2, Sc2CO2 and Sc2C(OH)(2) is modelled by accounting for both elastic (acoustic and piezoelectric) and inelastic (polar optical phonon) scattering. Polar optical phonon (POP) scattering is the most significant mechanism in these MXenes. We observe that there is a window of carrier concentration where the Hall factor acts dramatically; Sc2CF2 obtains an incredibly high value of 2.49 while Sc2CO2 achieves a very small value of approximately 0.5, and Sc2C(OH)(2) achieves the so called ideal value of 1. We propose in this paper that such Hall factor behaviour has significant promise in the field of surface group identification in MXenes, an issue that has long baffled researchers.

Automated summary

Hall scattering factors of Sc2CF2, Sc2CO2 and Sc2C(OH)(2) were calculated using Rode's iterative approach in conjunction with calculations based on density functional theory. The study focused on the electrical transport in these MXenes, accounting for both elastic and inelastic scattering mechanisms. It was found that polar optical phonon scattering is the most significant mechanism in these materials. The observed variation in Hall factors could have significant implications for surface group identification in MXenes.