A comprehensive investigation of multilayer Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene for supercapacitors in alkaline and acidic media

Authors

DOI:

10.15328/cb2026_127

Keywords:

MXene Ti₃C₂Tₓ, MAX phase Ti₃AlC₂, supercapacitor, aqueous electrolytes, electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

Multilayer Ti3С2Tx MXene was synthesized from Ti3AlC2 MAX phase via hydrofluoric acid etching followed by a gentle shaking-assisted delamination strategy, yielding well-preserved layered structures with expanded interlayer spacing of ~1.2–1.3 nm. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed effective removal of Al layers and the formation of functionalized accordion-like MXene sheets. The electrochemical behavior was systematically investigated in symmetric two-electrode cells using alkaline and acidic electrolytes. The MXene electrode exhibited quasi-rectangular CV curves and symmetric charge–discharge profiles in alkaline media, indicating predominantly capacitive charge storage with good reversibility and rate capability. Significantly higher capacitance and improved retention were obtained in 6 M KOH, reaching ~70–72 F g-1 at low scan rates, which is attributed to enhanced ionic conductivity, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and faster ion diffusion, as further supported by EIS analysis. In contrast, the acidic electrolyte showed distorted CV responses and increased polarization, suggesting slower charge-transfer kinetics and diffusion limitations. These findings highlight the decisive role of electrolyte chemistry in governing charge-storage mechanisms and demonstrate the strong potential of multilayer Ti3С2Tx MXene for supercapacitor applications in concentrated alkaline electrolytes.

Author Biographies

  • A.B. Tugelbayeva, Satbayev University

    Researcher

  • B. Balgabayeva, Satbayev University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Master student, Junior Researcher

  • F. Sultanov, Nazarbayev University, Satbayev University, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University

    PhD, Professor

  • Zh.A. Supiyeva, Satbayev University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    PhD, Associate Professor

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Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 119 No. 2 (2026): Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University (In Progress)

Section

Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Zh.A. Supiyeva, A.B. Tugelbayeva, B. Balgabayeva, F. Sultanov

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

How to Cite

A comprehensive investigation of multilayer Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene for supercapacitors in alkaline and acidic media. (2026). Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University, 119(2), In Press. https://doi.org/10.15328/cb2026_127

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