Intercalation Strategies for Enhanced Electrochemical Properties: CNT and C60 Intercalation into Ti₃C₂T_x MXene Multilayers for Energy Storage Applications

The development of advanced materials with enhanced electrochemical properties is crucial for the advancement of energy storage devices, catalysis, and sensors. In the present work, we investigate the electrochemical response of MXene-CNT-C60 composites, which combine the unique characteristics of MXene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and fullerene (C60). Ti₃C₂T_x MXene was synthesized by etching of the MAX phase in HCl solution, and MXene-CNT-C60 composite samples were then prepared and characterized using various experimental tools. The crystal structure, morphology, Raman modes, and electrochemical response of the composites were systematically analyzed. Our results show significant improvement in the electrochemical response of the composites compared to the individual components. Specifically, the composites exhibited enhanced electrochemical capacitance. Among all the fabricated nanocomposite samples, maximum energy density of 26.87 Wh/kg and maximum capacitance of 215 F/g were found for the sample composition of 60% MXene + 30% CNTs + 10% C60. These findings highlight the potential of the prepared composites for various electrochemical applications. The insights gained from this study contribute to the understanding and design of advanced composite materials for future energy storage and catalysis technologies.