Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide MXene for Lithium-ion Conductive Solid-state Electrolytes

This study presents the fabrication and comprehensive characterization of polymer-based lithium-ion conductive solid-state electrolytes (SPEs) incorporating two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene as a nanofiller. 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene was synthesized using a mild etching approach involving low-toxicity acids, enabling a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthesis methods. The resulting MXene was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) to evaluate its structural and morphological properties. To explore the potential of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene in SPEs, the MXene were integrated into three different polymer matrices and the resulting SPEs were evaluated through a suite of advanced characterization techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study ionic conductivity under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) assessed thermal behavior, and universal testing system (UTS) was used to evaluate mechanical performance of fabricated SPEs. SEM-EDS and FTIR further elucidated the morphological and chemical characteristics of the SPEs. The developed MXene-based SPEs demonstrated substantial improvements in ionic conductivity, as well as enhanced thermal, mechanical, and structural stability, exceeding established benchmarks for SPEs. These results highlight the promising potential of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene nanofillers in advancing the performance and safety of next-generation solid-state lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.Sc. Physics

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Faculty of Mathematics and Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Department of Physics

Grantor dc:publisher

Brock University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Keppetiyawa, Keppetiyawe Gedara Hansima Sanduni

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kaur, Jasneet

• Two-dimensional MXenes
• Solid-state electrolytes
• Lithium-ion conduction
• Spectroscopy
• Microscopy

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:brocku.scholaris.ca:10464/19447