Compressible and Lightweight MXene/Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel with “Layer-Strut” Bracing Microscopic Architecture for Efficient Energy Storage

Yongpeng Liu; Dan Wang; Chao Zhang; Yan Zhao; Piming Ma; Weifu Dong; Yunpeng Huang; Tianxi Liu

doi:10.1007/s42765-022-00140-z

Advanced Fiber Materials ›› 2022, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (4) : 820 -831. DOI: 10.1007/s42765-022-00140-z

Research Article

Compressible and Lightweight MXene/Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel with “Layer-Strut” Bracing Microscopic Architecture for Efficient Energy Storage

Author information +

¹Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 214122, Wuxi, China

²State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China

³School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, 530004, Nanning, China

^g hypjnu@jiangnan.edu.cn

^h txliu@jiangnan.edu.cn

Yongpeng Liu

is a master's student in the School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University. He received the B.S. degree in chemical engineering and technology from Chongqing University in 2019. His research interests focus on the nanofiber assemblies for energy storage.

Dan Wang

is currently a Master of the School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University. She joined Prof. Tianxi Liu’s group in 2020 and her research interest focuses on the design and construction of functional fibers for diverse applications.

Chao Zhang

is a professor of Donghua University. He received his PhD degree from Fudan University in 2013. His research interests include nano-/micro-fabrication of polymer composites for sensing and thermal management applications.

Yan Zhao

received the Ph.D. degree in Materials Science at Fudan University in 2015. He joined the Institute of Energy Research, Jiangsu University, as an assistant professor in 2015 and became an associate professor in 2019. He joined the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University in 2022 as a professor. His research focuses on fiber-based and film-based nanodevices for wearable energy storage and conversion.

Piming Ma

received his bachelor, master and PhD degrees from South China University of Technology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Eindhoven University of Technology, respectively, and is currently a full-time professor in Jiangnan University. He is the leader of research group of Bio-polymer and Composites, and an editorial board member of Polymer Degradation and Stability.

Weifu Dong

received his Ph.D. degree from Beijing University of Chemical Technology in 2006. In 2007, he worked as a TU/e and DPI (the Netherlands) Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Since 2009, he has been a faculty member at School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, biodegradable and functional macromolecules.

Yunpeng Huang

is currently an associate professor of the School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University. He received his PhD degree in polymer chemistry and physics from Fudan University in 2016. His research mainly focuses on the development of functional nanofibers and nanofiber composites.

Tianxi Liu

is a professor of the School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University. He received his PhD degree from Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, polymer aerogel composites, nanofibers and their composites, new energy materials.

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Abstract

Two-dimensional MXene has recently captured widespread research attention in energy storage and conversion fields due to its high conductivity, large specific surface area, and remarkable electro-activity. However, its performance is still hindered by severe self-restacking of MXene flakes. Herein, conductive Ti₃C₂T_x/carbon nanofiber (CNF) composite aerogel with typical “layer-strut” bracing 3D microscopic architecture has been fabricated via synergistic assembly and freeze-drying process. In virtu of the strong interfacial interaction between polymeric precursor nanofibers and MXene mono-layers, gelation capability and 3D formability of Ti₃C₂T_x is greatly reinforced, as resulted Ti₃C₂T_x/CNF aerogels possess a highly ordered microporous structure with interlayered CNF penetrating between large size MXene lamellae. This special configuration guarantees the stability and pliability of the composite aerogels. Furthermore, the 3D form interconnected conductive network and the parallell alignment of the pores allow free electrical carriers motion and ion migration. As a result, the prepared Ti₃C₂T_x/CNF aerogel-based electrode exhibits an exceptional gravimetric specific capacitance of 268 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ and an excellent cycling stability of 8000 cylcles, and the assembled symmetric supercapacitor, delivers a high energy density of 3.425 W h kg⁻¹ at 6000 W kg⁻¹. This work offers a new route for the rational construction of 3D MXene assembly for advanced energy storage materials.

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Yongpeng Liu, Dan Wang, Chao Zhang, Yan Zhao, Piming Ma, Weifu Dong, Yunpeng Huang, Tianxi Liu. Compressible and Lightweight MXene/Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel with “Layer-Strut” Bracing Microscopic Architecture for Efficient Energy Storage. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2022, 4(4): 820-831 DOI:10.1007/s42765-022-00140-z