CrB MBene: Synthesis, structural insights, and electrochemical performance assessment
Parya Aghamohammadi, Burcu Üstün, Eda Taga Akgül, Osman Cem Altıncı, Ü. Kurtan, Serkan Naci Koç, Hamide Aydın, Müslüm Demir
Abstract
In this study, CrB MBene, a member of two-dimensional transition metal borides, was successfully synthesized from the chromium aluminum boride (Cr 2 AlB 2 ) MAB phase using a 1.25 M HCl selective etching process. The effect of various etching times, including 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, on the structural and electrochemical properties of two-dimensional (2D) CrB MBenes was investigated. Time was a significant factor for the removal of interlayer Al from the Cr 2 AlB 2 MAB phase, resulting in the formation of CrB MBene nanostructures. The synthesized CrB MBenes exhibited a 2D plate-like morphology with enhanced electrochemical performance. Specifically, the CrB/36 electrode exhibited the best specific capacitance of 92.3 F/g at 0.1 A/g with 86.46 % pseudocapacitive contribution according to the Trasatti kinetic analysis. This discovery can pave the way for the synthesis of a wide range of novel 2D MBenes from MAB phases, potentially expanding the family of 2D materials with diverse compositions and properties.