Author: Frode Håskjold Fagerli
Title: Investigating the Mg ion Intercalation Properties of MXenes
Affiliation: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Two-dimensional MXenes have shown promising theoretical properties for rechargeable magnesium battery (RMB) cathodes. Here, we present a systematic investigation of the Mg2+ intercalating properties of two different multi-layered MXenes, Ti3C2 and V2C, utilizing the standard APC:THF electrolyte, and cycled at various temperatures. The cycling results show poor capacities, even at elevated temperatures (60°C), indicating that no significant intercalation occurs. DFT calculations of the migration barriers and intercalation energies of these MXenes, with various surface terminations, resulted in a trade-off between very high migration barriers for the movement of Mg2+ in the MXenes, or a positive intercalation energy. These preliminary results give useful insight of the cathodic performances of MXenes in RMBs.