Few-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene delaminated via flash freezing for high-rate electrochemical capacitive energy storage

Few-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene is synthesized from multi-layered Ti3C2Tx via a flash freezing-assisted delamination process.During the flash freezing process,the water molecules in the interlayers of multi-layered MXene are induced to rearrange and produce volume expansion,thus notably expand the MXenes’interlayer distance to form few-layer MXene.The synthesized few-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets display a very small thickness(less than 5 Ti3C2 atom-layers)and expanded interlayer spacing.Consequently,the few-layer Ti3C2Tx exhibits enhanced capacitance(255 F g^-1 vs.177 F g^-1 for the multi-layered Ti3C2Tx)and significantly optimized rate capability(150 F g^-1 at 200 mV s^-1 vs.25 F g^-1 for the multi-layered Ti3C2Tx),because redox-active sites in the few-layer MXene are easily accessible to electrolyte ions.Moreover,an asymmetric supercapacitor is constructed using the few-layer Ti3C2Tx negative electrode and an activated carbon fiber positive electrode.The asymmetric supercapacitor presents a high energy density of 17.9 Wh kg^-1 and a high power density of 14 kW kg^-1,which is inseparable from its wide voltage window of 1.4 V and the good rate performance of the few-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene electrode.Overall,the flash freezing-assist delamination provides an effective and environmental-friendly strategy to synthesize few-layer MXene materials for high-rate electrochemical energy storage.

Highly stable femtosecond pulse generation from a MXene Ti_3C_2T_x(T = F, O, or OH) mode-locked fiber laser

Ultrafast fiber lasers are in great demand for various applications, such as optical communication, spectroscopy,biomedical diagnosis, and industrial fabrication. Here, we report the highly stable femtosecond pulse generation from a MXene mode-locked fiber laser. We have prepared the high-quality Ti_3C_2 T_x nanosheets via the etching method, and characterized their ultrafast dynamics and broadband nonlinear optical responses. The obvious intensity-and wavelength-dependent nonlinear responses have been observed and investigated. In addition, a highly stable femtosecond fiber laser with signal-to-noise ratio up to 70.7 dB and central wavelength of 1567.3 nm has been delivered. The study may provide some valuable design guidelines for the development of ultrafast, broadband nonlinear optical modulators, and open new avenues toward advanced photonic devices based on MXenes.