Double-Transition-Metal MXene Films Promoting Deeply Rechargeable Magnesium Metal Batteries

Magnesium metal batteries are promising candidates for next-generation high-energy-density and low-cost energy storage systems. Their application, however, is precluded by infinite relative volume changes and inevitable side reactions of Mg metal anodes. These issues become more pronounced at large areal capacities that are required for practical batteries. Herein, for the first time, double-transition-metal MXene films are developed to promote deeply rechargeable magnesium metal batteries using Mo₂ Ti₂ C₃ as a representative example. The freestanding Mo₂ Ti₂ C₃ films, which are prepared using a simple vacuum filtration method, possess good electronic conductivity, unique surface chemistry, and high mechanical modulus. These superior electro-chemo-mechanical merits of Mo₂ Ti₂ C₃ films help to accelerate electrons/ions transfer, suppress electrolyte decomposition and dead Mg formation, as well as maintain electrode structural integrity during long-term and large-capacity operation. As a result, the as-developed Mo₂ Ti₂ C₃ films exhibit reversible Mg plating/stripping with high Coulombic efficiency of 99.3% at a record-high capacity of 15 mAh cm^-2 . This work not only sheds innovative insights into current collector design for deeply cyclable Mg metal anodes, but also paves the way for the application of double-transition-metal MXene materials in other alkali and alkaline earth metal batteries.