Modification of Ti₃C₂ MXene nanosheets with tunable properties using a post-processing method

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides with many intriguing properties and applications, many of which require surface modification. Herein, as-synthesized Ti₃C₂ was modified using different treatments (acid and base treatments) and then characterized by a complementary combination of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, and pore size distribution analysis. The results indicated that the structure and surface properties of the obtained Ti₃C₂ could be tuned using various treatments. The modification methods developed in this study may offer a new direction for tuning the structure and surface properties of MXenes for a wide range of applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]