Herein we report on the fabrication of a new family of two-dimensional, 2-D, Mn+1Xn sheets produced by the exfoliation of the MAX phases; the latter are layered carbides and nitride, where �M� is an early transition metal, �A� is A-group 13-16 element and �X� is C and/or N. The exfoliation process was carried out by selective etching of �A� layers from the MAX phases using HF at room temperature. We labeled the resultant 2-D layers �MXene� to highlight their similarity to graphene. Several examples and preliminary properties for Ti2C, Nb2C, TiNbC, Ti3C2, Ti3CN, and Ta4C3 are presented. Theory predicts that the band gaps of these 2-D solids can be tuned by varying surface terminations rendering it either semiconductor or metallic. Since there are over 60 MAX phases known to date, this discovery opens the door to the synthesis of a large number of other 2-D transition metal carbides and nitrides.

MXenes: A new family of 2D early transition metal carbides produced by exfoliation of the MAX phases

244th National Meeting (2012)

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