Lignin-Containing Nanocellulose Mediated Interlayer Modulation Unlocks Stable and Redispersible MXene.

Abstract

Titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x) MXene combines exceptional conductivity, mechanical robustness, and multifunctionality, positioning it as a promising material for diverse applications. However, its industrial deployment remains hampered by the inability to precisely control redispersibility and oxidative stability. Herein, an interlayer chemical modulation strategy is reported, mediated by amphiphilic lignin-containing nanocellulose (LNC). Competitive interactions between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of LNC within MXene interlayers enable precise tuning of spacing and interfacial chemistry. This approach allows rapid, industrial-scale spray drying to produce semi-solid MXene with long-term reversible redispersibility and outstanding oxidative stability. The resulting material can be fully redispersed into monolayer MXene even after 180 days of storage while maintaining high conductivity (≈7000 S cm^-1). Moreover, by adjusting the post-drying time-dependent window, MXene powders can be programmably switched from a dynamically reversible to a permanently fixed structure, broadening their utility across multiple domains. This approach is expected to resolve the long-standing industry bottlenecks of MXene, including its susceptibility to oxidation, high transportation costs, and challenges in reprocessing, thereby opening a new path for the rapid transition of MXene from laboratory to commercial application.