Methods for the Scaled up Production of Stabilized MXenes

The proposed R&D program is directed towards the commercialization of a new class of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanosheets, known as MXenes. Commercialization of these materials is a priority for maintaining the superiority of US military technology in application areas such as: field effect transistors, energy storage devices, shielding from electromagnetic interference, high performance composites, electromagnetic sensing and optical sensors. Applications in advanced computing and computer memory have been proposed. In a Phase I study, several technical advances were made aiming to accelerate transition of MXenes into defense industry applications. Their disruptive potential was enhanced through laboratory studies resulting in MXenes with new chemical compositions. MXenes were formulated to have long-term stability and the critical path item of a cost effective MXene manufacturing process was devised. The Phase II research will result in additional MXene compositions relevant to new functional devices and will involve scaled-up production of commercial specialty chemical MXenes. Business relations are in place for sale of these materials to government laboratories and industry researchers for expansion of the MXene industrial base.