Unlocking MXene Potential at Scale
The promise of MXenes—two-dimensional transition metal carbides with exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable chemistry, and solution processability—remains constrained by delamination inefficiency. Traditional approaches rely on chemical intercalants, extended washing cycles, and labor-intensive purification. This work demonstrates a cleaner path: high-pressure homogenization (HPH) that converts multilayer Ti₃C₂Tₓ into few-layer nanosheets in minutes, with zero chemical additives.
Key Findings
Scalable Delamination via HPH
- 6 grams processed in 10 minutes, <200 mL water
- 71% yield without post-purification washing
- Eliminates costly, toxic intercalants entirely
- Number of passes tunes exfoliation efficiency: 5–15 passes progressively thin nanosheets
Mechanism: Shear + Cavitation + Impact The Y-type interaction chamber splits the MXene suspension into opposing high-velocity jets. Collision-induced shear, cavitation, and pressure fluctuations disrupt interlayer van der Waals and hydrogen bonding. Result: few-layer nanosheets stable in water and DMSO, yet rapid exfoliation avoids surface oxidation during delamination.
Surface Functionalization with Catechol Ligands Two catechol-based ligands were tested:
- Polycatechol (PCA): sp²-hybridized carbon backbone
- PVP-CA (catechol-grafted polyvinylpyrrolidone): sp³-rich, nitrogen-containing
Both achieved efficient surface grafting, with functionalization efficiency scaling with delamination pass count—higher passes = thinner, higher-surface-area nanosheets = better ligand accessibility. XPS and Raman confirmed covalent attachment and altered carbon bonding environments.
Solvent Dispersion & Stability Trade-offs
- PCA-MXene: Stable in water, ethanol, NMP, DMSO; partial stability in acetone
- PVP-CA-MXene: Good water stability, moderate in ethanol/NMP/DMSO, poor in acetone
Ligand grafting sacrifices electrical conductivity (717.8 → 6.4–22.3 S/cm), but unlocks dispersibility in solvents where pristine MXene fails.
The Oxidation Challenge
Unlike MILD-exfoliated MXene, HPH-delaminated samples show slight oxidation during functionalization—attributed to higher surface defect density from aggressive mechanical exfoliation. While HPH avoids oxidation during delamination, rapid functionalization is needed to prevent oxidative degradation after exfoliation. This highlights a critical trade-off: mechanical speed vs. chemical stability.
Practical Impact
- Scalability: kg-scale production feasible; no toxic waste streams
- Cost: Eliminates expensive intercalants; water-only process
- Compatibility: Functionalized MXenes retain structural integrity for diverse applications (energy storage, sensors, coatings, electronics)
- Limitations: Smaller flake size and moderate conductivity suit applications prioritizing thin sheets over maximum conductivity
Full Paper
Park, Y. H., Kim, S., Ha, J., Choi, H., Yun, I., Shin, C., Yamunasree, B., Cho, D., Modigunta, J. K. R., Lee, T., Oh, J. H., Kheawhom, S., Murali, G., Lee, S. J., & In, I.
“Scalable delamination of multilayer MXene via high-pressure homogenization and subsequent surface functionalization.” Communications Materials 7, 193 (2026).
DOI: 10.1038/s43246-026-01183-0
Affiliation: Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok), Korea National University of Transportation (KNUT), and collaborators.
Research Domain: MXene materials science, 2D nanomaterials, scalable synthesis, surface chemistry, energy storage applications.
Keywords: MXene delamination, high-pressure homogenization, surface functionalization, catechol ligands, scalable production, 2D materials.