Improved Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene synthesis with Enhanced Electrical Conductivity and Supercapacitive Performance

Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes are promising materials for next-generation energy applications. Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene was synthesized by selectively etching aluminium from the Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase using the minimal-intensive layered delamination (MILD) method, producing supernatant (top-layer) and sediment fractions. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed successful conversion and phase purity, with top-layer Ti₃C₂Tₓ showing higher crystallinity. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed characteristic multilayered morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated consistent bonding features, with variations suggesting differences in surface chemistry. Electrical conductivity measurements showed a layer-dependent trend, with top-layer samples exhibiting the highest conductivity. Photoresistive studies under dark, visible, and infrared illumination demonstrated enhanced sensitivity for top-layer MXene. Supercapacitor electrodes in 1 M KOH showed a high specific capacitance of 344 F g⁻¹ at 10 mV s⁻¹ and excellent stability over 10,000 cycles. Overall, Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene demonstrates strong potential for energy storage and optoelectronic applications.