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

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

“…MXenes' strong M-X interior paired with their abundant surface terminations make them a compatible candidate material for use in metal matrix composites for structural and tribological applications. Recent studies have investigated Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene as a reinforcement material for Al via powder metallurgy processes [42][43][44], as shown in Fig. 2a.…”

“…The first of these mechanical studies on MXene/ Al composites mixed non-delaminated multilayer Ti 3 C 2 T x powder and Al powder via ball milling followed by pressureless sintering at 650 ºC in an Ar environment, which was further followed by hot rolling [43]. Another study used delaminated few-layer flakes of Ti 3 C 2 T x in Al powder mixed in water under sonication, which was followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 580 ºC for 20 min under 50 MPa and further followed by hot extrusion [44]. The use of up to 3 wt% non-delaminated Ti 3 C 2 T x powder mixed in Al resulted in a tensile strength improvement of 50 % [42] while the few-layer delaminated Ti 3 C 2 T x achieved a tensile strength improvement of 66 % at only 0.2 wt% inclusion of Ti 3 C 2 T x in Al [44].…”

“…a A schematic representing the MXene single-flake assembly and mixture with metal particles followed by densification to fabricate bulk metal matrix composite. b Strengthening efficiency of different nanoparticles and nanoflakes addition into Al matrices showing few-layer delaminated Ti 3 C 2 T x flakes can improve the tensile strength over its pure Al matrix with a lower volume fraction than that of other common nano-reinforcement materials [44]. c MXenes can also be included into lower melting point metals in their molten phase, where sonication assists the homogenous dispersion of MXene flakes into the molten metal [48].…”

“…c MXenes can also be included into lower melting point metals in their molten phase, where sonication assists the homogenous dispersion of MXene flakes into the molten metal [48]. d Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene flakes in a Cu matrix have shown a reduction of the coefficient of friction of two times over a pure Cu matrix [49] high negative surface charge of MXene sheets due to its surface groups [25,35] provides significant potential of MXenes toward solution-based mixing methods, such as electrostatic self-assembly [44]. In addition, MXenes' status as the stiffest solution-processable 2D nanomaterial makes MXene a great candidate 2D nanomaterial for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy mixing processes in metal matrix composites for structural applications.…”

“…We next turn our attention to MXenes unique properties which lend significant promise for their use in metal matrix composites. First, the solution processibility and high negative surface charge of MXene sheets due to its surface groups [ 25 , 35 ] provides significant potential of MXenes toward solution-based mixing methods, such as electrostatic self-assembly [ 44 ]. In addition, MXenes’ status as the stiffest solution-processable 2D nanomaterial makes MXene a great candidate 2D nanomaterial for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy mixing processes in metal matrix composites for structural applications.…”