MXene Electrochemistry

Prof. Patrice Simon and his team from Paul Sabatier University brought the knowledge of electrochemistry, while the ORNL and NIST scientists led by Eugene Mamontov conducted neutron scattering studies of ion dynamics in MXenes and the University of Tennessee scientist Lukas Vlcek modeled intercalation of lithium ions and electrolyte molecules between MXenes nanosheets. The Bar Ilan University scientists (Netanel Shpigel and Mikhael Levi) studied insertion of ions and solvents into MXenes by using electrochemical quartz microbalance. The Drexel University team produced MXenes and their MAX phase precursors, as well as conducted electrochemical studies on MXenes.

There are so many MXenes (about 50 experimentally made, more than 100 stoichiometric MXenes possible, more than 1000, if surface terminations are taken into account, and an infinite number, if solid solutions are considered). How do you select the best one for a specific application? Predictive modeling and extensive material screening are required.

No one knows everything. No one can do everything. No one has access to all of the tools required for research. Scientists collaborate to solve problems that are at the interfaces between different fields. The best person who can help may be in Australia, China, the UK, France or elsewhere. We all look for the best match. We look for collaborators who think alike, who want to work with us and who complement our knowledge. Professor Patrice Simon is a perfect match for me – a great scientist with brilliant ideas, a passion for research and deep knowledge of electrochemistry, which complements my knowledge of materials.

Performing electrochemical experiments and engaging with collaborators to analyze the results of advanced characterization experiments.

The combination of multiple electrochemists, materials scientists, physicists, and computational scientists resulted in our team becoming something far greater than the sum of its individual parts. The perspectives of our external team members led us to ask questions that we may have not otherwise considered, enabling us to design experiments that were able to effectively probe the nanoscale phenomena underpinning the macroscale electrochemistry we were observing.

The chemical sciences are driving innovation and change in fields that are critical for the future and wellbeing of society. From efforts directed at fighting climate change to advances in medicine and healthcare, you’ll find that the chemical sciences play a crucial role in guaranteeing that our future is bright.

2D MXene materials have unique properties in terms of conductivity, redox activity and accessible surface area that makes them highly promising for various applications including energy storage. We have firstly shown that MXenes could achieve extremely high performance in aqueous electrolyte. Then, we succeeded in preparing MXene electrodes with high electrochemical performance for Li ion intercalation in non-aqueous electrolyte. These results open new opportunities for using MXene materials as negative electrodes in high power batteries and/or supercapacitors for powering transportation and the internet of things (IoT).

This is one of the best moments to start a career in chemistry, taking into account all what chemistry can do to support the sustainable development of our societies.

Passion for discovery, and bringing our modest contribution to the forefront of sustainable development.