Heterostructures including the members of the 6.1 Å semiconductor family (AlSb, GaSb, and InAs) are used in infrared optoelectronic devices as well as a variety of other applications. Short-period superlattices of these materials are also of interest for creating composite materials with designer infrared dielectric functions. The conditions needed to create sharp InAs/GaSb and InAs/AlSb interfaces are well known but the AlSb/GaSb interface is much less well-understood. In this article, we test a variety of interventions designed to improve interface sharpness in AlSb/GaSb short-period superlattices. These interventions include the substrate temperature, the III:Sb flux ratio, and the use of a bismuth surfactant. Superlattices are characterized by high-resolution x-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. We find that AlSb/GaSb short-period superlattices have a wide growth window over which sharp interfaces can be obtained.
Growing concerns about fossil fuel’s environmental impact, along with the recent breakthrough of electric vehicles, have turned research focus to energy storage solutions. Despite the fact that batteries were invented about 200 years ago, modern technologies are required to store energy in a larger grid with a high density. The electrode materials used in energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors play a major role in their overall performance. A lot of materials have been explored but due to appealing electrical and electrochemical properties, MXene has received a lot of interest for energy storage devices. Because of their layered structure and high conductivity, MXenes are promising candidates for energy storage applications. Two-dimensional heterostructured materials are more advantageous than individual building blocks for batteries and supercapacitors. In this review work, we looked at different MXene based heterostructures and their electrochemical performance as electrode materials of batteries. A particular application of MXene in Lithium-ion batteries has been studied. Synthesis and characteristics of MXenes are briefly discussed here. Finally, future prospects and challenges are highlighted.
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