The family of 2D transition metal carbides, carbonitrides and nitrides (collectively referred to as MXenes) has expanded rapidly since the discovery of Ti3C2 in 2011. The materials reported so far always have surface terminations, such as hydroxyl, oxygen or fluorine, which impart hydrophilicity to their surfaces. About 20 different MXenes have been synthesized, and the structures and properties of dozens more have been theoretically predicted. The availability of solid solutions, the control of surface terminations and a recent discovery of multi-transition-metal layered MXenes offer the potential for synthesis of many new structures. The versatile chemistry of MXenes allows the tuning of properties for applications including energy storage, electromagnetic interference shielding, reinforcement for composites, water purification, gas- and biosensors, lubrication, and photo-, electro- and chemical catalysis. Attractive electronic, optical, plasmonic and thermoelectric properties have also been shown. In this Review, we present the synthesis, structure and properties of MXenes, as well as their energy storage and related applications, and an outlook for future research. More than twenty 2D carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of transition metals (MXenes) have been synthesized and studied, and dozens more predicted to exist. Highly electrically conductive MXenes show promise in electrical energy storage, electromagnetic interference shielding, electrocatalysis, plasmonics and other applications.

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2D metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) for energy storage

Lignin, a major component of lignocellulose, is the largest source of aromatic building blocks on the planet and harbors great potential to serve as starting material for the production of biobased products. Despite the initial challenges associated with the robust and irregular structure of lignin, the valorization of this intriguing aromatic biopolymer has come a long way: recently, many creative strategies emerged that deliver defined products via catalytic or biocatalytic depolymerization in good yields. The purpose of this review is to provide insight into these novel approaches and the potential application of such emerging new structures for the synthesis of biobased polymers or pharmacologically active molecules. Existing strategies for functionalization or defunctionalization of lignin-based compounds are also summarized. Following the whole value chain from raw lignocellulose through depolymerization to application whenever possible, specific lignin-based compounds emerge that could be in the fu...

Bright Side of Lignin Depolymerization: Toward New Platform Chemicals

Transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), a family of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic compounds, are materials composed of a few atomic layers of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. Ti3C2, the first 2D layered MXene, was isolated in 2011. This material, which is a layered bulk material analogous to graphite, was derived from its 3D phase, Ti3AlC2 MAX. Since then, material scientists have either determined or predicted the stable phases of >200 different MXenes based on combinations of various transition metals such as Ti, Mo, V, Cr, and their alloys with C and N. Extensive experimental and theoretical studies have shown their exciting potential for energy conversion and electrochemical storage. To this end, we comprehensively summarize the current advances in MXene research. We begin by reviewing the structure types and morphologies and their fabrication routes. The review then discusses the mechanical, electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties of MXenes. The focus then turns to their exciting potential in energy storage and conversion. Energy storage applications include electrodes in rechargeable lithium- and sodium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and supercapacitors. In terms of energy conversion, photocatalytic fuel production, such as hydrogen evolution from water splitting, and carbon dioxide reduction are presented. The potential of MXenes for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water, such as dye waste, is also addressed, along with their promise as catalysts for ammonium synthesis from nitrogen. Finally, their application potential is summarized.

Applications of 2D MXenes in energy conversion and storage systems

2D transition metal carbide Ti3C2Tx (T stands for surface termination), the most widely studied MXene, has shown outstanding electrochemical properties and promise for a number of bulk applications. However, electronic properties of individual MXene flakes, which are important for understanding the potential of these materials, remain largely unexplored. Herein, a modified synthetic method is reported for producing high-quality monolayer Ti3C2Tx flakes. Field-effect transistors (FETs) based on monolayer Ti3C2Tx flakes are fabricated and their electronic properties are measured. Individual Ti3C2Tx flakes exhibit a high conductivity of 4600 ± 1100 S cm−1 and field-effect electron mobility of 2.6 ± 0.7 cm2 V−1 s−1. The resistivity of multilayer Ti3C2Tx films is only one order of magnitude higher than the resistivity of individual flakes, which indicates a surprisingly good electron transport through the surface terminations of different flakes, unlike in many other 2D materials. Finally, the fabricated FETs are used to investigate the environmental stability and kinetics of oxidation of Ti3C2Tx flakes in humid air. The high-quality Ti3C2Tx flakes are reasonably stable and remain highly conductive even after their exposure to air for more than 24 h. It is demonstrated that after the initial exponential decay the conductivity of Ti3C2Tx flakes linearly decreases with time, which is consistent with their edge oxidation.

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Effect of Synthesis on Quality, Electronic Properties and Environmental Stability of Individual Monolayer Ti3C2 MXene Flakes

Ice repellency can be achieved on various hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, although a surface that repels ice under all environmental scenarios remains elusive. Different strategies are reviewed with a focus on the recent development of superhydrophobic and lubricant-infused surfaces.

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Design of anti-icing surfaces: smooth, textured or slippery?

Few-layer black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets that are clean and of high quality, are efficiently produced by exfoliating bulk BP crystals, which are prepared by a scalable gas-phase catalytic transformation method in water. They are stable enough in water for further processing and applications. As an example, these BP nanosheets are combined with graphene to give high-performance flexible lithium-ion batteries.

Scalable Clean Exfoliation of High-Quality Few-Layer Black Phosphorus for a Flexible Lithium Ion Battery

Lignin derivative vanillin when coupled with diamines and diethyl phosphite followed by reaction with echichlorohydrin yields high-performance flame retardant epoxy resins. Biorenewable and environment-friendly flame retardant alternatives to bisphenol A epoxy resins (having plenty of applications such as coatings, adhesives, composites, etc.) have captured great attention due to their ecological and economic necessity. Vanillin, an industrial scale monoaromatic compound from lignin, is a promising sustainable candidate for high-performance polymers, while synthesis of diepoxies is challenging. Meanwhile, bio-based epoxy resins combining high performance and excellent fire resistance are more difficult to be achieved. In this paper, two novel bio-based epoxy monomers EP1 and EP2 were synthesized by one-pot reaction containing Schiff base formation and phosphorus–hydrogen addition between vanillin, diamines, and diethyl phosphite, followed by reacting with epichlorohydrin. Their reactivities are similar to...

Vanillin-Derived High-Performance Flame Retardant Epoxy Resins: Facile Synthesis and Properties

Understanding the mechanism of ice adhesion on surfaces is crucial for anti-icing surfaces, and it is not clear if superhydrophobic surfaces could reduce ice adhesion Here, we investigate ice adhesion on model surfaces with different wettabilities The results show that the superhydrophobic surface cannot reduce the ice adhesion, and the ice adhesion strength on the superhydrophilic surface and the superhydrophobic one is almost the same This can be rationalized by the mechanical interlocking between the ice and the surface texture Moreover, we find that the ice adhesion strength increases linearly with the area fraction of air in contact with liquid

Superhydrophobic surfaces cannot reduce ice adhesion

A robust prototypical anti-icing coating with a self-lubricating liquid water layer (SLWL) is fabricated via grafting cross-linked hygroscopic polymers inside the micropores of silicon wafer surfaces. The ice adhesion on the surface with SLWL is 1 order of magnitude lower than that on the superhydrophobic surfaces and the ice formed atop of it can be blown off by an action of strong breeze. The surface with self-lubricating liquid water layer exhibits excellent capability of self-healing and abrasion resistance. The SLWL surface should also find applications in antifogging and self-cleaning by rainfall, in addition to anti-icing and antifrosting.

Robust prototypical anti-icing coatings with a self-lubricating liquid water layer between ice and substrate.

In this paper, an anti-icing coating with an aqueous lubricating layer is reported. This anti-icing coating can be directly applied to various substrates, and the ice adhesion strength on the coated surfaces can be lowered greatly as compared to uncoated substrates. We demonstrate for the first time that the formed ice on this anti-icing coating can be blown off by a wind action in the wind tunnel with a controlled temperature and wind velocity. Moreover, the low ice adhesion of the anti-icing coating can be maintained even when the temperature is lowered to -53 oC. The robustness and durability of the anti-icing coating are proved by the icing/de-icing experiments. The results show that the anti-icing coating with an aqueous lubricating layer is of great promise for practical applications.

Jing Chen

Papers

Scalable Clean Exfoliation of High-Quality Few-Layer Black Phosphorus for a Flexible Lithium Ion Battery

Vanillin-Derived High-Performance Flame Retardant Epoxy Resins: Facile Synthesis and Properties

Superhydrophobic surfaces cannot reduce ice adhesion

Robust prototypical anti-icing coatings with a self-lubricating liquid water layer between ice and substrate.

Anti-icing coating with an aqueous lubricating layer.