Structural characterisation of MXene obtained by various synthesis methods

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Strukturna karakterizacija MXene-a dobivenih različitim metodama sinteze
• Author: Kaltrina Stajku
• Mentor: Marijana Kraljić Roković (mentor)
• Mentor: Valtiner Markus (komentor)
• Committee member: Marijana Kraljić Roković (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Jozefina Katić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Iva Movre Šapić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-07-02, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Chemical Engineering

Abstract

The thesis aims to characterize new member of the 2D nanomaterials, MXene. The scientific question that’s been addressed throughout this study is addressing the challenges of HF synthesis of MXene such as environmental and safety concerns because of the hazardous nature of fluoride and emphasizing the importance of new synthesis techniques for fluorine-free MXene production. Specifically, the study investigates whether mechanochemical synthesis is a successful alternative. The results demonstrate successful partial etching of MXene on the surface of Ti3AlC2 by mechanochemical method. Surface characterization using Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of new rovibronic states in the newly formed structure with the appearance of characteristic MXene Raman shift at 120 cm^-1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) distinguishes the morphology of MXenes from that of the MAX phase. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) affirms the etching of Al, corroborated with the newest Low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS) technique confirming the changes in aluminium content on the surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) implies the formation of a monolayer MXene structure. In conclusion, the study successfully achieved partial delamination of MXene, validating the efficiency of the mechanochemical approach in producing fluorine-free MXenes, applicable in various fields.

Abstract (croatian)

Cilj ovog rada je karakterizacija novih 2D nanomaterijala, odnosno MXene-a, što uključuje znanstvene i opće aspekte vezane uz ove materijale. Znanstvena problematika koja se obrađuje u ovom istraživanju odnosi se na izazove sinteze MXene-a s HF-a, kao što su ekološki i sigurnosni problemi zbog prirode fluorida. Također, naglašena je važnost novih tehnika sinteze MXene-a koje ne uključuju fluor te se istražuje je li mehanokemijska sinteza uspješna alternativa postojećim metodama sinteze. Rezultati pokazuju uspješno djelomično raslojavanje MAX faze Ti3AlC2. Površinska karakterizacija pomoću Raman spektroskopije potvrđuje prisutnost novih rovibroničkih stanja u novonastaloj strukturi s pojavom karakterističnog MXene Ramanovog pomaka na 120 cm^-1. Skenirajuća elektronska mikroskopija (SEM) razlikuje morfologiju MXene-a od one MAX faze. Energijski disperzivna rendgenska spektroskopija (EDX) potvrđuje uklanjanje aluminija, što je dodatno potvrđeno tehnikom raspršenja niskoenergetskih iona (LEIS) koja potvrđuje promjene u sadržaju aluminija na površini MAX faze. Mikroskopija atomskih sila (AFM) implicira formiranje jednoslojne MXene strukture. Na temelju dobivenih rezultata može se zaključiti da je uspješno provedena djelomična delaminacija MXene-a na površini MAX faze. Na taj način je potvrđena dobra učinkovitost mehanokemijskog pristupa koji ne uključuje upotrebu fluorida u proizvodnji MXene-a.

• Keywords: 2D materials; Ti3C2Tx; surface characterization; mechanochemistry
• Keywords (croatian): 2D materijali; Ti3C2Tx; površinska karakterizacija; mehanokemija
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:149:191793
• Study programme: Title: Applied Chemistry - Graduate study; specializations in: Environmental chemistry and green technologies, Advanced materials and technologies, Applied organic chemistry; Course: Advanced materials and technologies; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra primijenjene kemije (sveučilišni/a magistar/magistra primijenjene kemije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Embargoed access; Embargo expiration date: 2025-07-01
• Created on: 2024-07-04 08:01:48