Ascorbic Acid Induced Scrolling of Titanium Carbide Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanosheets

Abstract:
Because of its exceptional mechanical/chemical properties, MXenes, the two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides, holds great potential in varied fields. Here, we demonstrate a simple method to fabricate Ti3C2Tx MXene nanoscrolls with the assistance of ascorbic acid (AA). It is worth mentioning that sonication treatment and the choice of solvents are critical to make MXene nanoscrolls successfully. It is discovered that AA molecules are intercalated into the interlayer spacing and bind to the Ti3C2Tx surface, which should be responsible for the scrolling up of MXene nanosheets. Moreover, changing the MXene morphology from sheets into scrolls also changes the material’s electrical and mechanical properties. This work offers a new strategy of fabricating MXenes scrolls for possible applications in structural composites and flexible electronics.