Abstract:
This study presents the first comprehensive investigation of 2D Nb₂CTₓ MXene as a potential
candidate for ferroelectric and memory applications. A detailed structural, morphological, and
electrical analysis confirmed its inherent ferroelectric properties, providing valuable insights into
its fundamental behavior and suitability for next-generation electronic and memory devices.
Additionally, the Ti₃CNTₓ MXene was successfully synthesized via mild etching (HF/HCl) and
delaminated using TMAOH. However, the restacking of delaminated Ti₃CNTₓ (d-Ti₃CNTₓ) limited
its surface area, restricting ion diffusion. To address this issue and enhance its energy storage
potential, metal cations (Fe, Ni, Co) were intercalated using an electrostatic self-assembly method.
The structural modifications through post-intercalation, confirmed through XRD, Raman, FTIR
XPS, and EDX analysis, led to a significant increase in surface area, as evidenced by BET analysis.
Among the intercalated MXenes, Co-Ti₃CNTₓ demonstrated the best electrochemical
performance, exhibiting an expanded d-spacing of 14.25 Å and a surface area of 113 m²g⁻¹. In
KOH electrolyte, Co-Ti₃CNTₓ delivered a maximum pseudocapacitance of 1470 Fg⁻¹, an energy
density of 9.8 Whkg⁻¹, and a power density of 1.4 Wkg⁻¹, with outstanding cycling stability,
retaining 91% capacitance over 5000 GCD cycles. This study marks the first report on metal-cation
intercalation in Ti₃CNTₓ MXene, demonstrating its potential for advanced supercapacitor
applications through structural engineering and metal-ion interactions.
