The multiple synthesis of layered V2CTx-MXene composites with enhanced electrochemical properties

There are several approaches to develop electrode materials with high electrical conductivity and low resistance, as well as good stability, that can be accomplished using MXene, but many of them are difficult to apply and implement in practice. As described in this paper, a surfactant-free assembly technique using hydrofluoric acid (HF) aided surfactant-free assembly was used to rationally produce a composite material composed of V 2 CT x +Ag+MWCNTs+Ag. It is shown that the doping of two Ag particles and the uniform growth of MWCNTs on the surface can expand the V 2 CT x layered structure and provide more active surface area for electrolyte ions. The entrance of Ag particles and MWCNTs had a bridging effect, and the functional groups on the surface of V 2 CT x synergized together to build a conductive pathway that was conductive to the surrounding medium. In addition, the charge transfer resistance of the V 2 CT x +Ag+MWCNTs+Ag composite electrode material was found to be only 15.1 Ω in the EIS test, with an extremely steady specific capacitance retention in the CV test. The V 2 CT x +Ag+MWCNTs+Ag composites were prepared by solution mixing method. From the experimental results, the addition of Ag particles and MWCNTs did not significantly improve the electrochemical properties of the composites, which may be due to collapse and fragmentation during the preparation process and needs to be further explored. • V 2 CT x /Ag/MWCNTs/Ag composite electrode materials were prepared with classical hydrothermal method. • Ag NPs are introduced twice to grow and distribute uniformly on the surface and between the layers of V 2 CT x to play a supporting role. • Ag NPs and MWCNTs combined with each other in the V 2 CT x interlayer to provide more and faster diffusion paths for electrons and ions.