Nonpolar Organic Dispersion of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene Flakes via Simultaneous Interfacial Chemical Grafting and Phase Transfer Method

Abstract

Abstract Herein, we demonstrate a simple and versatile way for preparing stable Ti3C2Tx MXene dispersions in nonpolar organic solvents through a simultaneous interfacial chemical grafting reaction and phase transfer method. Alkylphosphonic acid ligands were chemically grafted on the hydroxyl terminal groups of Ti3C2Tx flakes at the liquid–liquid interface between water and water-immiscible organic medium to form a covalent Ti–O–P bond via interfacial nucleophilic addition and sequential condensation reaction at room temperature; the surface-functionalized Ti3C2Tx flakes concurrently migrated from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. Unlike conventional surface chemical modification methods that require many complex and tedious steps, this is a simple and easy process for fabricating a Ti3C2Tx organic dispersion in various organic solvents, from highly polar to nonpolar. The nonpolar Ti3C2Tx dispersion in chloroform also exhibits strong oxidation resistance and stable long-term storage. This approach provides an opportunity for preparing MXene nanocomposites with nonpolar polymeric matrices that are soluble in organic media for future applications such as stretchable electrode.