Chemical Stability of Ti(3)C(2) MXene with Al in the Temperature Range 500–700 °C

Ti(3)C(2)T(x) MXene, a new 2D nanosheet material, is expected to be an attractive reinforcement of metal matrix composites because its surfaces are terminated with Ti and/or functional groups of –OH, –O, and –F which improve its wettability with metals. Thus, new Ti(3)C(2)T(x)/Al composites with strong interfaces and novel properties are desired. To prepare such composites, the chemical stability of Ti(3)C(2)T(x) with Al at high temperatures should be investigated. This work first reports on the chemical stability of Ti(3)C(2)T(x) MXene with Al in the temperature range 500–700 °C. Ti(3)C(2)T(x) is thermally stable with Al at temperatures below 700 °C, but it reacts with Al to form Al(3)Ti and TiC at temperatures above 700 °C. The chemical stability and microstructure of the Ti(3)C(2)T(x)/Al samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.