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Multifunctional Ti3C2T-alginate foams for energy harvesting and fire warning
Bernd Wicklein1, Hyunjoon Yoo2, Geetha Valurouthu3
1Materials Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain. bernd@icmm.csic.es.
Nanoscale Horizons
|April 23, 2025
Summary
New composite foams blend high thermal insulation with electrical conductivity using Ti3C2Tx MXene. These advanced materials offer enhanced triboelectric energy generation and flame retardancy for smart safety applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Advanced foams with combined thermal insulation and electrical conductivity are crucial for modern applications.
- Balancing these properties requires precise control over material composition.
- Titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene is a promising nanomaterial for enhancing composite properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize ice-templated Ti3C2Tx-alginate composite foams.
- To investigate the influence of Ti3C2Tx MXene on triboelectric energy production.
- To evaluate the thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and fire-sensing capabilities of the composite foams.
Main Methods:
- Ice-templating method for fabricating macroporous composite foams.
- Incorporation of varying weight percentages of Ti3C2Tx MXene into an alginate matrix.
- Characterization of triboelectric output, thermal conductivity, and flame-retardant behavior.
- Testing the response of the foams to fire-induced electrical resistance changes.
Main Results:
- Addition of 5 wt% Ti3C2Tx significantly enhanced triboelectric output (110% increase).
- Composite foams exhibited low thermal conductivity (62 mW m-1 K-1) despite electrical conductivity.
- The foams demonstrated self-extinguishing flame-retardant properties.
- Composite foams responded to small electrical resistance changes induced by fire.
Conclusions:
- Ti3C2Tx MXene acts as a versatile filler in biopolymer foams, imparting desirable functionalities.
- These composite foams offer a promising platform for energy harvesting and smart safety systems.
- The developed materials effectively combine thermal insulation, electrical conductivity, and flame retardancy.
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