Colloidal Gelation in Liquid Metals Enables Functional Nanocomposites of 2D Metal Carbides (MXenes) and Lightweight Metals

Abstract

Nanomaterials dispersed in different media, such as liquids or polymers, generate a variety of functional composites with synergistic properties. In this work we discuss liquid metals as the

A general approach to composites containing nonmetallic fillers and liquid gallium

“…For example, pristine carbon nanotubes were reported to be nonmixable with EGaIn, but after being surface-functionalized with platinum particles, the loading mass was reported to increase to 15 weight % (wt %) (24). MXene particles could not be incorporated into pure liquid gallium but were reported to be dispersible when 1.9 atomic % of magnesium was added (26). In another approach, a chromium transition layer was deposited on the surfaces of diamond particles by magnetron sputtering, which facilitated dispersion with Ga (27).…”

Significant strengthening effect in few-layered MXene-reinforced Al matrix composites

“…In addition, the sandwiched FLM consisted of 8 layers of MXene monolayers, as indicated by the red lines in Figure 3c. Furthermore, the (002) basal planes of the FLM were continuous and mutually parallel, showing a typical etching-induced accordion-like feature with an interlayer distance of ∼ 0.5-3 nm ( Figure S3) [25,27]. This indicates that the FLM preserved a high crystallinity during composite densification.…”

“…To overcome the limitations of graphene, 2D transition metal carbides, known as MXene, has been proposed as an effective reinforcement for AMCs due to its excellent mechanical properties and hydrophilic surface [23,24]. The termination of MXene by hydroxyl, oxygen, and fluoride groups during the synthesis of MXene by the chemical etching of A layers from MAX phases enables the dispersion of MXene in various polar solvents [25,26]. In addition, among water dispersible 2D materials such as GO, MXene has the best measured Young's modulus (330 GPa) and breaking strength (17.3 GPa) [26].…”

“…In addition, among water dispersible 2D materials such as GO, MXene has the best measured Young's modulus (330 GPa) and breaking strength (17.3 GPa) [26]. In contrast to carbon-based fillers, MXene has a higher chemical stability, as it can withstand contact with molten metal [25,27]. However, the true potential of MXene in metal-based composites has not been extensively studied.…”

2D transition metal carbides (MXenes) in metal and ceramic matrix composites

“…Ti 3 C 2 T x Mg-Li MMCs have been fabricated via a molten-gelation mixing process with Ti 3 C 2 T x incorporated into in the molten metal via sonication in temperatures exceeding 500 °C, as shown in Fig. 2c [48]. This process has resulted in a tensile yield strength improvement of 128 % over the matrix metal [48].…”