Unlocking Rapid and Durable Sodium-Ion Storage in MXene via Organic Molecular Welding

Abstract

Achieving fast and reversible sodiation/desodiation in MXene materials remains an eye-catching yet unresolved challenge. This work introduces a benzaldehyde-welded Ti₃C₂ MXene (Ti₃C₂–BD) as a high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). This functionalization boosts electrochemical activity and structural stability while directly addressing key limitations like interlayer stacking and rapid performance degradation. With these advantages, the Ti₃C₂–BD anode delivers a specific capacity of 54.5 mAh g^-1 at 10 A g^-1 and retains 51.1 mAh g^-1 after 2500 cycles at 5 A g^-1, demonstrating exceptional rate capability and cycling stability. In full-cell systems, Ti₃C₂–BD achieves an energy density of 205.3 Wh kg^-1. Structural and kinetic analyses reveal its stable architecture, superior Na⁺ ion adsorption, and favorable diffusion kinetics. This study offers a strategic approach for designing MXene-based anodes with high capacity, rate capability, and long-term stability, providing both theoretical and practical advancements in SIBs technology.

Keywords

anode material / benzaldehyde-welded / electrochemical performance / MXene / sodium-ion batteries

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2026 The Author(s). Carbon Neutralization published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.