Advancement in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology has envisaged the development of novel materials for a better human life. Nanomaterials have attracted the scientific research for the past three decades and are widely explored for multifunctional applications. Research is ongoing to understand the properties of various emerging nanomaterials such as MXenes, MBenes, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorous, and so forth to name a few. Among the various layered two‐dimensional (2D) materials, transition metal carbides/nitrides/carbonitrides (collectively known as MXenes) have received profound interest due to their exciting physical and chemical properties. Among the MXene family, titanium‐based MXenes have been explored the most. But the research on non‐titanium‐based MXenes are still in the developing stage. Zirconium (Zr)‐based MXenes are the emerging materials having peculiar characteristics. Herein, we discuss the syntheses, properties, and application of Zr‐based MXenes. Initially, the MAX phases of Zr‐based MXenes are discussed. Further, the synthesis of Zr‐based MXenes by various methods are included. Furthermore, the applications of Zr‐based MXenes in rechargeable batteries such as lithium‐ion batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, potassium‐ion batteries, and so forth are reviewed.
Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) get important attention as a semiconductor photocatalyst among other transition metal sulfides due to its fascinating and extraordinary properties. Here ZnS nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrothermal method using zinc acetate and sodium sulfide as precursors. The structural properties of ZnS was studied by using X‐Ray Diffraction technique (XRD).Exact fitting and crystal information of the sample was obtained from Rietveld refinement with Crystallographic Open Database (COD). It shows that ZnS follows cubic structure without any impurity peaks. Crystallite size and lattice strain values are calculated by using Williamson‐Hall (W−H) Plot method. As temperature increases, the particle size also going to increases due to atomic diffusion phenomena. Tauc plot indicates that the bandgap values decreases with increasing temperature. Accurate determination of bandgap values was analyzed by Boltzmann fitting using sigmoid function. Chemical states of elements were obtained with X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).Surface morphology and elemental analysis of ZnS nanoparticles was determined from Field Emission Scanning Electron Spectroscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Then the photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency of synthesized particles for Malachite Green (MG) dye was evaluated. From the studies it was found that ZnS is an efficient photocatalyst and it can be used as a perfect future material to avoid the water pollution.
Layered two-dimensional (2D) transition
metal nitrides/carbides/carbonitrides
are collectively known as MXenes. MXenes are the most explored candidates
in the family of 2D materials due to their extraordinary physicochemical
properties, which have proved to be beneficial for multifunctional
applications, most likely in electrochemical energy storage, energy
generation, sensing, photocatalysis, etc. In the MXene family, niobium
carbide (Nb2CT
x
) is an emerging
novel member finding suitable applications due to its unique properties,
although a smaller number of research studies have been conducted
on this particular MXene to date and are still in their infancy. The
Nb2CT
x
MXene has attracted
great scientific attention among the various available non-titanium-based
MXenes. A detailed review on the peculiar characteristics and prominent
energy applications of this novel 2D material is lacking in the literature.
This has motivated us to present a review article that provides an
outline on the synthesis and exemplary energy applications of Nb2CT
x
MXene based materials, particularly
for rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. A brief description
of the crystal structure and properties of the Nb2CT
x
MXene is included. By understanding the
physics and chemistry of the Nb2CT
x
MXene, the properties can be tailored suitable for specific
applications. This review proclaims that Nb2CT
x
MXene based materials can be a future efficient
electrode material for rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors.
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