Synthesis of new two-dimensional titanium carbonitride Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx MXene and its performance as an electrode material for sodium-ion battery

Two-dimensional (2D) layered transition metal carbides/nitrides, called MXenes, are attractive alternative electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage. Owing to their metallic electrical conductivity and low ion diffusion barrier, MXenes are promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we report on a new 2D carbonitride MXene, viz., Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx (T-x stands for surface terminations), and the only second carbonitride after Ti3CNTx so far. A new type of in situ HF (HCl/KF) etching condition was employed to synthesize multilayer Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx powders from Ti2AlC0.5N0.5. Spontaneous intercalation of tetramethylammonium followed by sonication in water allowed for large-scale delamination of this new titanium carbonitride into 2D sheets. Multilayer Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx powders showed higher specific capacities and larger electroactive surface area than those of Ti2CTx powders. Multilayer Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx powders show a specific capacity of 182 mAh g(-1) at 20 mA g(-1), the highest among all reported MXene electrodes as SIBs with excellent cycling stability.

Automated summary

A new 2D carbonitride MXene material, Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx, was reported in this study, showing higher specific capacities and larger electroactive surface area compared to traditional Ti2CTx powders. The multilayer Ti2C0.5N0.5Tx powders exhibited a specific capacity of 182 mAh g-1 at 20 mA g-1, the highest among reported MXene electrodes for SIBs, with excellent cycling stability.