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Dissertation
Understanding the role of MXenes as synthetic precursors for advanced energy storage materials
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Aug 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011232
Abstract
Secondary batteries have been identified as a critical technology for the pursuit of energy storage systems in conjunction with electrical energy generation methods. The technology has focused on the non-aqueous Li-ion battery, which has prevailed as the energy storage solution of choice due to the high energy and power densities that can be achieved. However, in the wake of environmental and society concerns brought by the sourcing and production of materials for Li-ion batteries, new materials and energy storage solutions are being pursued to enable operational diversity within the energy storage industry. Intercalation transition metal oxides are currently the material of choice for use as electrode active materials in battery applications, as their compositions and structures enable efficient cycling of charge carrying species during cycling. Bilayered vanadium oxide has been identified as a viable cathode active material through its high theoretical capacities and compositional tunability through chemical preintercalation. Their development has been marked by the use of transition metal carbides, or MXenes, as synthetic precursors, which have demonstrated enhanced electrochemical stability of the MXene-derived oxides in Li-ion batteries. Despite this, the conversion from MXene to oxide is still poorly understood, and their capabilities in beyond Li-ion systems has been limited in their demonstration.In this dissertation, I discuss the use of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (MXenes) as promising precursors for the synthesis of advanced oxide cathode materials for batteries. The nanoscale 2D morphologies and unique surface chemistries of MXenes enable facile transformation into high-performance oxides. First, I will show how modifying the MXene transition metal chemistry promotes new electrochemical behavior of derived oxides in lithium-ion batteries. Introducing multiple transition metals during MXene synthesis enables the doping of one transition metal into the oxide structure after conversion that unlocks new electrochemical behavior in Li-ion batteries. Second, I will demonstrate how etchant composition used for MXene synthesis causes downstream effects on electrochemical properties of MXene-derived oxides in potassium-ion batteries. The surface chemistry of MXene affects oxide properties after transformation, with proper etching control leading to better capacities and stability during K-ion cycling. Third, I will highlight how MXenes can transform into oxides with novel morphologies that enable high performance in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Existing oxide compositions can be realized in new MXene-reliant forms that, with proper electrolyte selection, can lead to superior Zn-ion cycling performance. My findings show the versatility of MXene-based synthesis of promising active materials in advanced battery systems.
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Details
- Title
- Understanding the role of MXenes as synthetic precursors for advanced energy storage materials
- Creators
- Timofey Kirillovich Averianov
- Contributors
- Ekaterina Pomerantseva (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- xxx, 190 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials (Science and) Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering) [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022147107104721