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Marimuthu S, Prabhakaran Shyma A, Sathyanarayanan S, Gopal T, James JT, Nagalingam SP, Gunaseelan B, Babu S, Sellappan R, Grace AN. The dawn of MXene duo: revolutionizing perovskite solar cells with MXenes through computational and experimental methods. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:10108-10141. [PMID: 38722253 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01053a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Integrating MXene into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has heralded a new era of efficient and stable photovoltaic devices owing to their supreme electrical conductivity, excellent carrier mobility, adjustable surface functional groups, excellent transparency and superior mechanical properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental and computational techniques employed in the synthesis, characterization, coating techniques and performance optimization of MXene additive in electrodes, hole transport layer (HTL), electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite photoactive layer of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Experimentally, the synthesis of MXene involves various methods, such as selective etching of MAX phases and subsequent delamination. At the same time, characterization techniques encompass X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which elucidate the structural and chemical properties of MXene. Experimental strategies for fabricating PSCs involving MXene include interfacial engineering, charge transport enhancement, and stability improvement. On the computational front, density functional theory calculations, drift-diffusion modelling, and finite element analysis are utilized to understand MXene's electronic structure, its interface with perovskite, and the transport mechanisms within the devices. This review serves as a roadmap for researchers to leverage a diverse array of experimental and computational methods in harnessing the potential of MXene for advanced PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathish Marimuthu
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Arunkumar Prabhakaran Shyma
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Shriswaroop Sathyanarayanan
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Tamilselvi Gopal
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Jaimson T James
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Suruthi Priya Nagalingam
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Bharath Gunaseelan
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Sivasri Babu
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Raja Sellappan
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Andrews Nirmala Grace
- Centre for Nanotechnology Research (CNR), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Malaki M, Varma RS. Wetting of MXenes and Beyond. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:116. [PMID: 37121917 PMCID: PMC10149433 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01049-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
MXenes are a class of 2D nanomaterials with exceptional tailor-made properties such as mechano-ceramic nature, rich chemistry, and hydrophilicity, to name a few. However, one of the most challenging issues in any composite/hybrid system is the interfacial wetting. Having a superior integrity of a given composite system is a direct consequence of the proper wettability. While wetting is a fundamental feature, dictating many physical and chemical attributes, most of the common nanomaterials possesses poor affinity due to hydrophobic nature, making them hard to be easily dispersed in a given composite. Thanks to low contact angle, MXenes can offer themselves as an ideal candidate for manufacturing different nano-hybrid structures. Herein this review, it is aimed to particularly study the wettability of MXenes. In terms of the layout of the present study, MXenes are first briefly introduced, and then, the wettability phenomenon is discussed in detail. Upon reviewing the sporadic research efforts conducted to date, a particular attention is paid on the current challenges and research pitfalls to light up the future perspectives. It is strongly believed that taking the advantage of MXene's rich hydrophilic surface may have a revolutionizing role in the fabrication of advanced materials with exceptional features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massoud Malaki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Daneshgah e Sanati Hwy, Khomeyni Shahr, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.
| | - Rajender S Varma
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Wu Z, Liu S, Hao Z, Liu X. MXene Contact Engineering for Printed Electronics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2207174. [PMID: 37096843 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
MXenes emerging as an amazing class of 2D layered materials, have drawn great attention in the past decade. Recent progress suggest that MXene-based materials have been widely explored as conductive electrodes for printed electronics, including electronic and optoelectronic devices, sensors, and energy storage systems. Here, the critical factors impacting device performance are comprehensively interpreted from the viewpoint of contact engineering, thereby giving a deep understanding of surface microstructures, contact defects, and energy level matching as well as their interaction principles. This review also summarizes the existing challenges of MXene inks and the related printing techniques, aiming at inspiring researchers to develop novel large-area and high-resolution printing integration methods. Moreover, to effectually tune the states of contact interface and meet the urgent demands of printed electronics, the significance of MXene contact engineering in reducing defects, matching energy levels, and regulating performance is highlighted. Finally, the printed electronics constructed by the collaborative combination of the printing process and contact engineering are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Thin-Film Technologies, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Shuiren Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Thin-Film Technologies, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Zijuan Hao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Thin-Film Technologies, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
- Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Xinxiang, 453000, P. R. China
| | - Xuying Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronic Materials and Thin-Film Technologies, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
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Wang M, Huang W. Emerging Xene-Related Nanostructures for Versatile Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:517. [PMID: 36770478 PMCID: PMC9920832 DOI: 10.3390/nano13030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Investigations into semiconductor nanomaterials from both an academic and industrial point of view are of great significance [...].
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Aghayar Z, Malaki M, Zhang Y. MXene-Based Ink Design for Printed Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12234346. [PMID: 36500969 PMCID: PMC9736873 DOI: 10.3390/nano12234346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
MXenes are a class of two-dimensional nanomaterials with a rich chemistry, hydrophilic surface and mechano-ceramic nature, and have been employed in a wide variety of applications ranging from medical and sensing devises to electronics, supercapacitors, electromagnetic shielding, and environmental applications, to name a few. To date, the main focus has mostly been paid to studying the chemical and physical properties of MXenes and MXene-based hybrids, while relatively less attention has been paid to the optimal application forms of these materials. It has been frequently observed that MXenes show great potential as inks when dispersed in solution. The present paper aims to comprehensively review the recent knowledge about the properties, applications and future horizon of inks based on 2D MXene sheets. In terms of the layout of the current paper, 2D MXenes have briefly been presented and followed by introducing the formulation of MXene inks, the process of turning MAX to MXene, and ink compositions and preparations. The chemical, tribological and rheological properties have been deeply discussed with an eye to the recent developments of the MXene inks in energy, health and sensing applications. The review ends with a summary of research pitfalls, challenges, and future directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Aghayar
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran 16846-11314, Iran
| | - Massoud Malaki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yizhou Zhang
- Institute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (Y.Z.)
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Alhamada TF, Azmah Hanim MA, Jung DW, Saidur R, Nuraini A, Hasan WZW. MXene Based Nanocomposites for Recent Solar Energy Technologies. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3666. [PMID: 36296856 PMCID: PMC9609812 DOI: 10.3390/nano12203666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This article discusses the design and preparation of a modified MXene-based nanocomposite for increasing the power conversion efficiency and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells. The MXene family of materials among 2D nanomaterials has shown considerable promise in enhancing solar cell performance because of their remarkable surface-enhanced characteristics. Firstly, there are a variety of approaches to making MXene-reinforced composites, from solution mixing to powder metallurgy. In addition, their outstanding features, including high electrical conductivity, Young's modulus, and distinctive shape, make them very advantageous for composite synthesis. In contrast, its excellent chemical stability, electronic conductivity, tunable band gaps, and ion intercalation make it a promising contender for various applications. Photovoltaic devices, which turn sunlight into electricity, are an exciting new area of research for sustainable power. Based on an analysis of recent articles, the hydro-thermal method has been widely used for synthesizing MXene-based nano-composites because of the easiness of fabrication and low cost. Finally, we identify new perspectives for adjusting the performance of MXene for various nanocomposites by controlling the composition of the two-dimensional transition metal MXene phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. F. Alhamada
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Northern Technical University, Mosul 41001, Iraq
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M. A. Azmah Hanim
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Advance Engineering Materials and Composites Research Center (AEMC), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - D. W. Jung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jeju National University, 1 Ara 1-dong, Jeju 690-756, Korea
| | - R. Saidur
- Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - A. Nuraini
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - W. Z. Wan Hasan
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UPM, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
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Gutiérrez-Ojeda SJ, Ponce-Pérez R, Maldonado-Lopez D, Hoat DM, Guerrero-Sánchez J, Moreno-Armenta MG. Strain Effects on the Two-Dimensional Cr 2N MXene: An Ab Initio Study. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:33884-33894. [PMID: 36188272 PMCID: PMC9520696 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of two-dimensional Cr2N MXene under strain were studied. The uniaxial and biaxial strain was considered from -5 to 5%. Phonon dispersion was calculated; imaginary frequency was not found for both kinds of strain. Phonon density of states displays an interesting relation between strain and optical phonon gaps (OPGs), that it implies tunable thermal conductivity. When we apply biaxial tensile strain, the OPG increases; however, this is not appreciable under uniaxial strain. The electronic properties of the dynamically stable systems were investigated by calculating the band structure and electron localization function (ELF) along the (110) plane. The band structure showed a metallic behavior under compressive strain; nevertheless, under tensile strain, the system has a little indirect band gap of 0.16 eV. By analyzing, the ELF interactions between Cr-N are determined to be a weaker covalent bonding Cr2N under tensile strain. On the other hand, if the Cr atoms reduce or increase their self-distance, the magnetization alignment changes, also the magnetic anisotropy energy displays out-of-plane spin alignment. These properties extend the potential applications of Cr2N in the spintronic area as long as they can be grown on substrates with high lattice mismatch, conserving their magnetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Julieta Gutiérrez-Ojeda
- Centro
de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km. 107, Apdo. 14 Carretera Tijuana, Ensenada, Baja California 22800, México
| | - Rodrigo Ponce-Pérez
- Centro
de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km. 107, Apdo. 14 Carretera Tijuana, Ensenada, Baja California 22800, México
| | - Daniel Maldonado-Lopez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, Michigan 48823, United States
| | - Do Minh Hoat
- Institute
of Theoretical and Applied Research, Duy
Tan University, Ha Noi 100000, Vietnam
- Faculty
of Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Jonathan Guerrero-Sánchez
- Centro
de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km. 107, Apdo. 14 Carretera Tijuana, Ensenada, Baja California 22800, México
| | - Ma. Guadalupe Moreno-Armenta
- Centro
de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km. 107, Apdo. 14 Carretera Tijuana, Ensenada, Baja California 22800, México
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Biomedical Applications of an Ultra-Sensitive Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Smart MXene Quantum Dots (SMQDs). BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12090743. [PMID: 36140128 PMCID: PMC9496527 DOI: 10.3390/bios12090743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In today’s world, the use of biosensors occupies a special place in a variety of fields such as agriculture and industry. New biosensor technologies can identify biological compounds accurately and quickly. One of these technologies is the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the development of biosensors based on their optical properties, which allow for very sensitive and specific measurements of biomolecules without time delay. Therefore, various nanomaterials have been introduced for the development of SPR biosensors to achieve a high degree of selectivity and sensitivity. The diagnosis of deadly diseases such as cancer depends on the use of nanotechnology. Smart MXene quantum dots (SMQDs), a new class of nanomaterials that are developing at a rapid pace, are perfect for the development of SPR biosensors due to their many advantageous properties. Moreover, SMQDs are two-dimensional (2D) inorganic segments with a limited number of atomic layers that exhibit excellent properties such as high conductivity, plasmonic, and optical properties. Therefore, SMQDs, with their unique properties, are promising contenders for biomedicine, including cancer diagnosis/treatment, biological sensing/imaging, antigen detection, etc. In this review, SPR biosensors based on SMQDs applied in biomedical applications are discussed. To achieve this goal, an introduction to SPR, SPR biosensors, and SMQDs (including their structure, surface functional groups, synthesis, and properties) is given first; then, the fabrication of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) based on SMQDs and the biomedical applications of SMQDs are discussed. In the next step, SPR biosensors based on SMQDs and advanced 2D SMQDs-based nanobiosensors as ultrasensitive detection tools are presented. This review proposes the use of SMQDs for the improvement of SPR biosensors with high selectivity and sensitivity for biomedical applications.
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Mostafaei A, Heidari Semiromi E. A tight-binding model for the electronic structure of MXene monolayers. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:11760-11769. [PMID: 35920258 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr00745b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, has attracted substantial attention in science and technology. We obtain a parameterized minimal tight-binding model to provide an accurate description of both valence and conduction bands of a class of MXene monolayers named M2XT2 (with M = Sc, Zr, Ti; X = C; T = O, F) based on the band structures obtained within the framework of density functional theory. It is shown that the next nearest-neighbor 13-band p3d5 model is fairly sufficient to describe the electronic structure of these systems over a wide energy range. The obtained hopping and Slater-Koster parameters can be used to study the physical properties of MXene-based materials and nanostructures in the framework of the tight-binding model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mostafaei
- Department of Physics, University of Kashan, Kashan, 87317-53153, Iran.
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