Case studies
ProQuest have published a dissertation by K. Prenger about MXenes (two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides), which have already shown promise as materials for supercapacitors, especially in acidic aqueous electrolyte. Supercapacitors are needed for electrochemical energy storage – an area of research which has grown hugely due to the increase in demand for renewable energy sources.
The research aims to better understand the nature of MXene surfaces, and the interactions and reactions of those surfaces, which is fundamental to understanding their performance in electrochemical energy storage devices. “The effect of cation intercalation on the oxidation state of titanium” was investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM).
Silson’s silicon nitride membranes were used for in situ XAS measurements, conducted on “the U49- 2_PGM1 undulator beamline of BESSY II [Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie] using the LiXEdrom endstation”.
Our membranes had a window size of 1.0 mm x 0.5 mm and were “used to isolate the liquid environment from the vacuum chamber (10-6 mbar range), which is required for soft XAS measurements. The window area is composed of a 75 nm thick Si3N4 membrane coated with 5 nm Cr (adhesive layer) and 10 nm Au.”
Follow this link to read the dissertation in full!
