Surface Restructuring of Emerging Two-Dimensional Materials

The project will conduct fundamental science investigation focused on targeted surface restructuring of 2D MXenes which is predicted as the ultimate route for property enhancement and tunning.

The terminations on the MXene surfaces will be manipulated by combining in situ gas and heat treatments employing dedicated gas-heating holder inside aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (TEM) at Linköping University (LiU).

The experimental methodology will permit to track the interactions of gas molecules with MXenes by highest spatial and energy resolutions elucidating surface atom coordination, compositional, and bonding changes.

The project will achieve the knowledge-based development of MXene surfaces tailored on the atomic scale via distinct surface engineering routes. The experimental findings will be collaborated with theoretical predictions.

The potential of utilizing newly enabled MXene surfaces will eventually relate to the enhanced functional properties necessary for different applications.

Project feasibility is ensured through access to novel materials, in situ TEM characterization tools, and a successful track record in this field.

It will complement many activities already undertaken at LiU, result in high impact publications, knowledge transfer, and fruitful future research collaborations.