Processing 2D Nanomaterials: Study of Colloidal and Chemical Stability of Boron Nitride and Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanosheets

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been hotly investigated since the identification of graphene in 2004. With so much research focus it has been difficult to translate promising laboratory results to commercial success. The main reason for this is the processing of such nanomaterials. Processing at a nanoscale is challenging because the materials at that scale either aggregate to their parent structure or chemically degrade, rendering them useless. In this work, liquid processing advancement of two novel nanosheets are presented; boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) and Tiv3Cv2Tvx MXenes. BNNSs are difficult to process at the nanoscale because they tend to aggregate. We have demonstrated the viability of co-solvents in processing BNNSs to obtain high yields while still maintaining a high quality BNNSs. Tiv3Cv2Tvx MXenes on the other hand are easier to process but they oxidize. The chemical degradation was examined various media and suggestions made to store Tiv3Cv2Tvx MXenes in solid media to decrease the rate of oxidation. Additionally, we demonstrated a never-before-seen property of Tiv3Cv2Tvx MXenes: their propensity to rapidly heat under radio frequency fields. We explored how polymer/ Tvi3Cv2Txv composite film architecture and composition affect both conductivity and RF responsiveness. This new property can be exploited for various RF-based applications where localized heating is desired.