From 2D MXenes to 3D Carbides: Transformation of Ti₃C₂Tz Thin Films into TiCx Carbide Nanolayers
Abstract
MXenes are finding applications across fields from batteries to sensors. So far, their hightemperature transformation from 2D transition metal carbides into 3D MX carbides remain underexplored and underexploited. Herein, we develop the idea of using MXene films as precursors for refractory MX ceramic diffusion bonding interlayers. As a proof-of-concept, Ti₃C₂Tz thin films were deposited on sapphire, and a bonded "sandwich" structure was formed by applying high temperature (1400°C) at moderate pressure (18 MPa). Structural and compositional analyses of the interface revealed that the Ti₃C₂Tz transformed into cubic TiCxTy (with ~13 at% O), and all halide surface terminations were removed. Moreover, a small fraction of Li (~0.2 at%) was detected within the TiCxTy, stabilized by the presence of O in the oxycarbide lattice. This methodology offers a framework for studying the MXene→MX transformation under controlled conditions and designing diffusion bonding interlayers suitable for joining ceramic materials for extreme environment applications.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{ratzker2026from,
title = {{From 2D MXenes to 3D Carbides: Transformation of Ti₃C₂Tz Thin Films into TiCx Carbide Nanolayers}},
author = {Barak Ratzker and Bar Favelukis and Mathias Krämer and Christoph Freysoldt and Yiftach Kushnir and Asaf Nitsan and Alexander Upcher and Nitzan Maman and Or Messer and Dierk Raabe and Baptiste Gault and Maxim Sokol},
journal = {Nano Letters},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c00187},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05762010v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From 2D MXenes to 3D Carbides: Transformation of Ti₃C₂Tz Thin Films into TiCx Carbide Nanolayers
AU - Barak Ratzker
AU - Bar Favelukis
AU - Mathias Krämer
AU - Christoph Freysoldt
AU - Yiftach Kushnir
AU - Asaf Nitsan
AU - Alexander Upcher
AU - Nitzan Maman
AU - Or Messer
AU - Dierk Raabe
AU - Baptiste Gault
AU - Maxim Sokol
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Nano Letters
DO - 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c00187
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05762010v1
AB - MXenes are finding applications across fields from batteries to sensors. So far, their hightemperature transformation from 2D transition metal carbides into 3D MX carbides remain underexplored and underexploited. Herein, we develop the idea of using MXene films as precursors for refractory MX ceramic diffusion bonding interlayers. As a proof-of-concept, Ti₃C₂Tz thin films were deposited on sapphire, and a bonded "sandwich" structure was formed by applying high temperature (1400°C) at moderate pressure (18 MPa). Structural and compositional analyses of the interface revealed that the Ti₃C₂Tz transformed into cubic TiCxTy (with ~13 at% O), and all halide surface terminations were removed. Moreover, a small fraction of Li (~0.2 at%) was detected within the TiCxTy, stabilized by the presence of O in the oxycarbide lattice. This methodology offers a framework for studying the MXene→MX transformation under controlled conditions and designing diffusion bonding interlayers suitable for joining ceramic materials for extreme environment applications.
SN - 1530-6984
SN - 1530-6992
ER -