Butanedioic acid unlock shelf-stable Ti3C2T (MXene) dispersions and their electrochemical performance in supercapacitor

MXene experiences significant oxidation and gradual deterioration in aqueous media due to its inadequate chemical stability, which hinders its further advancement. This study presents a simple and effective approach to prevent the degradation of Ti ₃C ₂T _x MXene nanosheets in aqueous media by chemically encapsulating with butanedioic acid (succinic acid (SSA)). Specifically, the impact of pH and antioxidant content on the rate of oxidation of Ti ₃C ₂T _x is investigated together with their electrochemical behavior at different intervals. The research demonstrates that the oxidation rate of MXene must be prevented at a suitable concentration of antioxidants; higher doses of antioxidants cause aggregation, while lower concentrations accelerate the oxidation process. Furthermore, fluctuations in pH levels within the dispersion indicate that under acidic conditions, MXene experiences a greater level of oxidation as a result of elevated proton reactivity, which ultimately leads to material degradation. On the other hand, alkaline environments tend to reduce oxidative reactions, leading to increased stability of MXene. Consequently, MXene-SSA can demonstrate long-term stability in water for up to 35 weeks. The electrochemical properties of SSA-encapsulated MXene sheets are assessed as a supercapacitor electrode throughout a time gradient. In comparison to fresh MXene (299 F g ⁻¹ at 1 A g ⁻¹), the specific capacitances of SSA-protected MXene (321 F g ⁻¹ at 1 A g ⁻¹) remain unchanged after a long time. Based on DFT calculations, it has been observed that succinic acid creates beneficial hydrogen bonding interactions with Ti sites that possess a lower coordination number, hence improving the stability of Ti ₃C ₂T _x.