2Dfects-english (2)
Defect engineering in two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXenes) for enhanced reactivity: a route towards improved functional properties
Décember 1st 2024 – November 30th 2028
Coordinator Laboratory of the project : Institut Pprime(Institut P’), Poitiers
IMN Coordinator of the project : Thierry BROUSSE PR UNIV (ST2E team)
Partners :
Institut Pprime (Institut P’), Poitiers
Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP)
Persons of IMN involved :
Philippe MOREAU (PR UNIV), Olivier CROSNIER (MF UNIV), Camille DOUARD (IE CNRS), Eric GAUTRON (IR CNRS)
Total Financing : 590 879€ with 195899€ for IMN
The aim of the 2Dfects project is to develop ion irradiation (Ir) and ion implantation (Im) as new approaches for the structural and chemical engineering of two-dimensional transition metal carbides layers (MXenes). The goal is to use defects to exacerbate the 2D layers reactivity and deeply modify their functional properties. MXenes are one of the largest family of 2D materials with many potential applications resulting from their very diverse physico-chemical properties. A relevant strategy to tune these properties relies on the controlled modification of MXenes surface functionalization.
The goal of the project is thus to reach new functionalizations as compared to those currently obtained from standard chemical approaches or achieve elemental doping using Ir/Im in order to deeply modify MXene functional properties. Taking advantage of the full control of the beam characteristics used in Ir/Im, this approach offers significant advantages over chemical processes among which doping possibilities with almost all elements and fine tunability of the doping/damage rate.
The impact on the properties will be assessed by focusing on three of the most salient ones for MXenes: their optical, electrical and charge storage properties. When combined, these properties pave the way towards flexible transparent conductive electrodes or supercapacitors, key elements for next generation (opto)electronics.
In order to understand their role on functional properties, the project involves a significant effort on characterizations down to the atomic level, in order to optimize the Ir/Im conditions towards targeted defect configurations. To supplement the experimental approach, the characterization protocol will involve support from ab initio simulations. Defining relevant Ir/Im protocols, understanding the associated structural and chemical modifications of 2D MXene layers at the nanoscale would open a new field in the development of original MXenes with new functional properties.