IIT-I, RRCAT develop cost-effective MXene

Indore: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), in collaboration with the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), developed a method for synthesising MAX phase. This paves the way for the production of superior quality and economically viable MXene, thereby enhancing its commercial feasibility.
MXenes, a class of two-dimensional carbide materials derived from MAX phase, find extensive applications across a wide spectrum of domains. These include lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, antennas, water purification, electromagnetic interference shielding, metal crack healing, hydrogen generation and storage, and mechanical treatments.The team, comprising Prof Rupesh S Devan from IIT Indore and Dr Ravindra Jangir from RRCAT, devised a new method called the "Molten Salt Solid-State Reaction-Based Process" for synthesising MAX phase, which is used to produce high-quality MXenes. Prof Suhas Joshi, director of IIT Indore, said, "MXenes have potential to revolutionise industries such as defence, aerospace, energy, and biomedical sectors, thanks to their ability to control materials at the nanoscale. The affordability and efficiency of this new synthesis method could pave the way for MXenes to be used more widely in industries. As the demand for high-performance materials grows, MXenes are expected to become more competitive in the global market, showcasing the capabilities of Indian researchers on a global scale." With the current market price of MXene surpassing Rs 1,50,000 for 500 mg, this new approach holds the potential to significantly reduce production costs and amplify the material's commercial viability, as stated by IIT-I. This research is supported by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). TNN