Electrically reading a light-driven molecular switch on 2D-Ti₃C₂T_x MXene via molecular engineering: towards responsive MXetronics

Abstract

2D-Ti3C2Tx MXene was covalently functionalized with a photo-active molecule, azobenzene, to optically write/erase two distinguished electrical states. This work paves the way toward real applicability of 2D-MXenes by providing a new family of “Responsive MXetronics”.

Light-Responsive Conductive Surface Coatings on the Basis of Azidomethyl-PEDOT Electropolymer Films

“…The design of functional surfaces plays an important role in modern material-dependent fields such as organic electronics, coatings, and nanoengineering. Light-responsive surfaces receive particular appreciation, as their properties are modulated selectively by non-invasive light irradiation at distinct wavelengths and with excellent spatiotemporal control, offering physicochemical features like reversible changes in surface wettability or adsorption, useful in a variety of important industrial branches, such as production of responsive electronics. − Among these surfaces, conductive polymers (CPs) reserve a special place because they are widely implemented in organic electronics, particularly in organic light-emitting diodes and organic polymer solar cells, smart windows, and display technologies. , Various CPs are the basic material choice for the development of transistors, batteries, and gas sensors. , Stimuli-responsive CPs as interfacing materials represent an intersection of material niches, being used in stimuli-responsive conductive hydrogels − or on-demand drug delivery or release. − In turn, the development of light-responsive conductive polymer interfaces is required for efficient organic-based electronic devices and the trend to substitute non-recyclable materials with sustainable organic ones …”

Solvents dramatically influence the atomic composition and catalytic properties of Ti3C2Tx MXenes

“…18,24,25 Their hydrophilic nature 26 allows their dispersion in different solvents, and thus, MXenes can be applied on the substrate or used as conductive inks. 27 Additionally, they have been studied as catalysts in energy storage and conversion processes, 18–22 and found application as chemical sensors, electromagnetic interference shielding and biomedicine. 27–40 In contrast to other widely studied 2D materials, such as TMDs ( e.g.…”

“…Mxenes are synthesized by selective etching of certain atomic layers from their MAX phase precursors. [11][12][13][14][15] The distinctive properties of MXenes include high electrical conductivity, 16 electrochemical activity, 17,18 high-temperature stability, 19 optical properties, [20][21][22] and unique layered structure with rich chemistry. Moreover, due to their excellent mechanical properties with metallic conductivity and chemical stability, 23 MXenes can be blended with polymers to improve the conductivity and mechanical properties of polymers in energy-related applications.…”

Synthetic Nanoarchitectonics of Functional Organic–Inorganic 2D Germanane Heterostructures via Click Chemistry

“…The exploration of contemporary 2D layered materials—from organic‐based graphene [ 1 ] to inorganic‐based silicene, [ 2,3 ] germanene, [ 4 ] hexagonal boron nitride, [ 5 ] or transition‐metal carbides/dichalcogenides, [ 6–9 ] among others, [ 10–14 ] —is at the forefront of modern materials science and technology as they offer exciting benefits when compared with their bulk counterparts, resulting in outstanding physicochemical characteristics.…”

“…The exploration of contemporary 2D layered materials-from organic-based graphene [1] to inorganic-based silicene, [2,3] germanene, [4] hexagonal boron nitride, [5] or transition-metal carbides/dichalcogenides, [6][7][8][9] among others, [10][11][12][13][14] -is at the forefront of modern materials science and technology as they offer exciting benefits when compared with their bulk solid-state material that are physically/chemically connectedwith unprecedented physicochemical characteristics. [23][24][25][26][27] However, the connection of carbon nanomaterials to inorganic 2D heterostructures has been mainly carried out via weak physicochemical interactions, with just a single example providing a robust covalent assembly through a linker molecule.…”