Elastic Properties of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene Monolayers and Bilayers

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, are a large class of materials that are finding numerous applications ranging from energy storage and electromagnetic interference shielding to water purification and antibacterial coatings. Graphene oxide (GO) is often viewed as a low-cost and scalable alternative to pristine graphene for large-scale mechanical applications and can be prepared by oxidative exfoliation of graphite in acid solutions. SEM analysis was performed using a Zeiss Supra 40 Field-Emission SEM at an accelerating voltage of 5 kV. Surface topography imaging and force-indentation curve measurements were performed on an Asylum Research MFP3D system. During the indentation experiments, the cantilever bending and z-piezo displacement were recorded as the tip moved downward. The cantilever bending was calibrated by measuring a force displacement curve on a hard silicon/silicon dioxide surface in advance.