Fabrication and characterization of Ti3C2TX MXene-based bipolar membrane

Abstract

In this study, two Ti3C2TX MXene were synthesized from Ti3AlC2 MAX phase by two different etching solution (HF and LiF + HCl) and were used as a catalyst in the interfacial layer of the bipolar membrane (BPM). For MXene characterization; XPS, X-ray diffraction, AFM, thermogravimetric analyses, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and water contact angle analysis were performed. Moreover, FTIR, water uptake capacity, water contact angle, electrical resistance and dynamic mechanical analysis were performed for MXene-based bipolar membranes. The results of XPS and the aluminum peak disappeared in the MXene spectrum at approximately 38.6 degrees degrees from the XRD analysis implied the successfull synthesis from MAX phase by both etching solution. LiF + HCl etching solution led to lower electrical resistances of BPMs than HF solution. HF-doped BPMs, particularly at low and high concentrations of Ti3C2TX provides the most substantial reinforcement in terms of stiffness, while LiF + HCl-doped BPMs exhibits a more moderate improvement in rigidity. [GRAPHICS]