All-MXene-Based Integrated Membrane Electrode Constructed using Ti₃C₂T as an Intercalating Agent for High-Performance...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• 2D-Ti3C2Tx MXene restacking and small interlayer spacing limit capacitive deionization (CDI) applications.
• Developing high-performance electrodes is crucial for efficient desalination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an all-MXene flexible film electrode (L-S-Ti3C2Tx) for high-performance CDI.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional Ti3C2Tx MXene in CDI applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a flexible film electrode using a combination of large-size (L-Ti3C2Tx, ⩾1 μm) and small-size (S-Ti3C2Tx, 500 nm) Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets.
• Electrochemical characterization including capacitance measurements and cycling stability tests.
• Evaluation of desalination performance using electroadsorption capacity measurements in NaCl solutions.

Main Results:

• The L-S-Ti3C2Tx electrode exhibited excellent capacitance (169 F/g at 5 mV/s) and long-term cycling stability (91.7% retention after 5000 cycles).
• High electroadsorption capacity of 72 mg NaCl/g was achieved for the L-S-Ti3C2Tx electrode in a 10 mM NaCl solution.
• The introduction of small Ti3C2Tx sheets enhanced active sites, electron transport, and ion diffusion.

Conclusions:

• The novel L-S-Ti3C2Tx electrode design significantly improves electrochemical and desalination performance for CDI.
• This work presents a new strategy for developing advanced anode materials for efficient water desalination.
• The findings open new avenues for MXene-based materials in energy storage and environmental applications.