Design and Synthesis of MXene Derived Materials for Advanced Electronics and Energy Harvesting Applications

In this thesis, we capitalize on the two-dimensional (2D) nature of MXenes by using them as precursors for the synthesis of 2D functional material. MXenes are easily intercalated with monovalent cations K, Na, Li due to their expanded d-spacing after etching. Based on these ideas, we have developed new synthesis processes of texture functional materials using MXenes as precursors. We have successfully synthesized two-dimensional Nb2C MXene based high aspect ratio ferroelectric potassium niobate (KNbO3) and well-oriented photoluminescent rare earth doped lithium niobate (LiNbO3:Pr3+) crystals, which have great potential in opto-electronics applications. In addition, this thesis demonstrates that poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based percolative composites using two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets as fillers exhibit significantly enhanced dielectric permittivity. Furthermore, we fabricated MXene/in-plane aligned PVDF photo-thermo-mechanical solar tracking actuator for energy harvesting applications.