β-Mercaptoethanol-Enabled Long-Term Stability and Work Function Tuning of MXene

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• MXene materials, particularly Ti3C2TX, suffer from oxidation at edges and defects, limiting their practical use.
• Degradation compromises the unique properties and stability of 2D MXene materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a passivation strategy for Ti3C2TX MXene to prevent oxidation.
• To investigate the mechanism of passivation and its effect on MXene properties and device performance.

Main Methods:

• Passivation of Ti3C2TX MXene using beta-mercaptoethanol (BME).
• Experimental characterization (e.g., storage tests, device fabrication).
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to study adsorption and electronic effects.

Main Results:

• BME effectively suppressed Ti3C2TX oxidation in aqueous dispersions, humid air, and at high temperatures.
• BME adsorption at edges and defects was confirmed with significant binding energies.
• Passivation maintained the 2D morphology and improved carrier transport in MoS2 field-effect transistors.

Conclusions:

• Beta-mercaptoethanol provides an effective passivation scheme for Ti3C2TX MXene, preventing degradation.
• The method enhances material stability without compromising intrinsic properties.
• This approach promotes the long-term application of MXene in various electronic devices.