MXene for energy storage: More versatile than expected

MXene materials are promising candidates for a new energy storage technology. However, the processes by which the charge storage takes place were not yet fully understood. A team at HZB has examined, for the first time, individual MXene flakes to explore these processes in detail. Using the in situ Scanning transmission X-ray microscope 'MYSTIIC' at BESSY II, the scientists mapped the chemical states of Titanium atoms on the MXene flake surfaces. The results revealed two distinct redox reactions, depending on the electrolyte. This lays the groundwork for understanding charge transfer processes at the nanoscale and provides a basis for future research aimed at optimising pseudocapacitive energy storage devices.

Energy storage is crucial for achieving a climate-neutral and efficient energy supply, based on renewable energy sources. Current technologies have their pros and cons. Batteries, for example, require a certain amount of time to charge but can store enormous amounts of energy, whereas electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) charge quickly but can only absorb a limited amount of energy. So called pseudocapacitors could combine high storage capacity with speed, due to a charge transfer process based on chemical changes without changing the phase of material. Up to now, this technology has not yet been realised due to a lack of promising materials.

The hidden talents of MXenes

This might change with MXene materials. MXenes are two-dimensional materials with a layered structure, such as titanium carbide, which form a conductive core and a highly reactive surface. The distance between layers is in the order of a few nanometers. Via aqueous electrolytes, protons and Li ions can intercalate between MXene layers and act as charge carriers. The charge carriers bind to the surface terminations on the Titanium atoms via redox reactions. Another advantage: Aqueous electrolytes are generally much more environmentally friendly than organic electrolytes used in batteries.

Chemical changes observed 

Until now, MXene has primarily been studied in larger samples comprising thousands of stacked flakes. Dr Tristan Petit has now experimentally clarified, for the first time, what happens at an individual flake level during ion storage with soft X-ray microscopy, to obtain information about the chemical changes at the sub-flake level. Using the in situ X-ray microscope 'MYSTIIC' at BESSY II, the scientists succeeded in imaging the local chemical changes in individual Ti₃C₂T_x MXene flakes during the spontaneous and electrochemical intercalation of different ions.

It depends on the electrolyte

“We discovered significant differences in chemical behaviour depending on whether the electrolyte contained proton or lithium ions,” says Namrata Sharma, the study's first author. Protons reduce the oxidation state of titanium atoms, whereas intercalation of lithium ions increases the oxidation state of the titanium atoms.

'This challenges the common perception of MXenes as electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) in neutral aqueous electrolytes. They are more complex and therefore more interesting, as we can use these insights to develop MXenes for new energy storage applications such as pseudocapacitors,' says Petit.  

Note: Tristan Petit joins CNRS, France

In 2013, Dr. Tristan Petit has joined HZB with a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. After receiving a very prestigious Freigeist Fellowship from the VW Foundation in 2015, he set us a junior research group. In 2021 he earned an ERC Starting Grant to build up a young investigator group. He now continues his career at the IS2M, Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse, an institute of the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique CNRS, as a research professor (Directeur de recherche). 'After more than 12 years at HZB, that is a big step in my professional life!' Tristan Petit will continue to collaborate with HZB, especially at BESSY II.