Scientists have learned to stabilize maxene in one step

Russian and foreign scientists have developed a new method of stabilizing two-dimensional macene materials (MXenes) in one stage. The approach proposed by the doctors could improve the properties of macene – adhesion and chemical stability, which are important for the use of manufacturing materials, for example in electric heaters and breathing sensors. The research, supported by the Russian Science Foundation, was published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the press service of Tomsk Polytechnic University reported.

Macsenes are a family of nanomaterials discovered about ten years ago. These are two-dimensional materials composed of transition metals, carbon and/or nitrogen, and surface functional groups. Maxene has very high electrical conductivity, a large surface area, and is an excellent candidate for uses, such as as a material for supercapacitors and chemical sensors. However, the practical application of macene is seriously hindered by poor adhesion to hydrophobic substrates, such as some commonly used polymers, as well as low chemical stability, leading to deterioration of electrical and mechanical properties under environmental conditions.

Traditional macene stabilization methods, e.g., pre-treatment of the substrate surface with plasma, addition of surfactants, post-treatment using antioxidants, thermal annealing, often reduce the electrical conductivity of the material, are not suitable for all substrates, and also involve complex, multi-stage technological processes.

Russian and Chinese scientists have proposed a new method to stabilize macene – a one-step laser transfer process.

To solve the problem, scientists used a so-called “sandwich” configuration, which effectively reduces the risk of oxidation during processing by creating a self-contained hypoxic microenvironment without the need for an inert or vacuum environment, significantly reducing costs and simplifying the process. They used the most widely used titanium carbide-based macene, synthesized by chemical wet etching. The substrate is glassy polyurethane and thermoplastic. Maxene in dispersion form was applied to a thermoplastic polyurethane substrate and air-dried. Next, the system is placed between two transparent glass panels. Laser treatment passes through the top layer of glass, then the “sandwich” structure is separated, due to which macenes are transferred to both contact surfaces, forming strong interfaces with them.

Analysis of the surfaces showed that the scientists' method preserved the original structure of macene while effectively minimizing further oxidation of the material on both substrates thanks to the carbon-rich protective layer. The result is durable conductive surfaces that retain their properties under prolonged exposure to high humidity and high temperatures.