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Tailoring optical response of MXene thin films
Jeffrey Simon1, Kyu Ri Choi1,2, Stefano Ippolito3
1Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Birck Nanotechnology Center and Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Nanophotonics (Berlin, Germany)
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Researchers tuned 2D MXene optical properties by mixing Ti3C2Tx and Nb2CTx. This method allows continuous adjustment of the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) point and absorption for nanophotonic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- 2D MXenes possess attractive optical properties for nanophotonic and optoelectronic devices.
- Tuning MXene properties often requires iterative synthesis, which is time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a simple method for tuning the optical properties of 2D MXene thin films.
- To achieve broad spectral tunability of optical properties without complex synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Mixing highly conductive Ti3C2Tx with poorly conductive Nb2CTx at various ratios.
- Fabricating MXene thin films from these mixtures.
- Characterizing the optical properties, including the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) point and absorption spectra.
Main Results:
- Achieved continuous tuning of optical properties over a 1500-nm wavelength range.
- Varied the ENZ point from 1.1 to 2.6 µm by adjusting film composition.
- Observed reduced absorption in some mixed compositions compared to pure MXene films.
Conclusions:
- Mixing different MXene compositions offers a simple and efficient way to tune optical properties.
- This approach bypasses the need for multiple, time-intensive synthesis steps.
- Enables facile control over MXene optical characteristics for advanced applications.
