Dynamic response study of Ti₃C₂-MXene films to shockwave and impact forces

MXenes (Titanium Carbide, Ti₃C₂-MXene) are two-dimensional nanomaterials that are known for their conductivity, film-forming ability, and elasticity. Though literature reports the possibility of usage of Ti₃C₂-MXenes for sensor development, the material properties and response need be studied in detail for designing sensors to measure dynamic variables like force, displacement, etc., in a dynamic environment. Ti₃C₂-MXenes due to their good electro-mechanical properties can be used for manufacturing sensing elements for engineering and biomedical applications. This paper focuses on an investigation of the dynamic response properties of Ti₃C₂-MXenes subjected to shockwave and impact forces. A supersonic shockwave (Mach number: 1.68, peak overpressure: 234.3 kPa) produced in a shock tube acts as an external force on the Ti₃C₂-MXene film placed inside the shock tube. In the experiment performed, the response time of the Ti₃C₂-MXene film sample has been observed to be in the range of few microseconds (∼7 μs) for the high-velocity shock. In a separate experiment, Ti₃C₂-MXene film samples are subjected to low-velocity impact forces through a ball drop test. The results from the ball drop test provide a response time in the range of few milliseconds (average ∼1.5 ms). In this novel demonstration, the Ti₃C₂-MXene film sample responds well for both low-velocity mechanical impact as well as high-velocity shockwave impact. Further, the repeatability of the dynamic response of the Ti₃C₂-MXene film sample is discussed along with its significant piezoresistive behavior. This work provides the basis for sensor development to measure the dynamic phenomena of pressure changes, acoustic emissions, structural vibrations, etc.