Effect of surface functionalization on the electronic transport properties of Ti₃C₂ MXene

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), HBKU, Qatar Foundation P.O. Box 5825, Doha, Qatar

Received: 24 August 2015
Accepted: 8 September 2015

Abstract

The effects of surface functionalization on the electronic transport properties of the MXene compound Ti₃C₂ are studied using density-functional theory in combination with the nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. Fluorinated, oxidized and hydroxylated surfaces are considered and the obtained results are compared with the ones for the pristine MXene. It is found that the surface termination has a considerable impact on the electronic transport in MXene. For example, the fluorinated sample shows the largest transmission, whereas surface oxidation results in a considerable reduction of the electronic transmission. The current in the former sample can be up to 4 times larger for a given bias voltage as compared to the case of bare MXene. The increased transmission originates from the extended electronic states and smaller variations of the electrostatic potential profile. Our findings can be useful in designing MXene-based anode materials for energy storage applications, where enhanced electronic transport will be an asset.