MXene:
The IIT Guwahati research team developed a MXene-based catalyst that can both produce hydrogen efficiently from water and act as a photocatalyst for desalination.
- MXene are a group of two-dimensional materials first discovered in 2011.
- They are made from a bulk crystal called MAX.
- They have the general formula of Mn+1XnTx, where M is an early transition metal, X is carbon and/or nitrogen, and T is a functional group on the surface of an MXene (typically O, OH, and F).
- Among various types of MXenes, titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) is the most widely used.
- They show high electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, good chemical stability, remarkable hydrophilicity, and tunable surface chemistry.
- Applications of MXenes:
- Energy Storage Devices: MXene could be used in energy storage devices such as electrodes of Li-ion batteries, pseudo capacitors, etc.
- Desalination and waste-water treatment: These can be used in in water desalination and wastewater treatment.
- Separation and Filtration Applications: Because of remarkable properties such as hydrophilicity, conductivity, and high flexibility these can be used in separation and filtration process in industries.
