Bimetal Organic Framework–Ti3C2Tx MXene with Metalloporphyrin Electrocatalyst for Lithium–Oxygen Batteries

The gravest oxidation of MXenes has become a critical problem due to the formation of metal oxides, leading to the loss of their intrinsic properties. Herein, bimetallic cobalt–manganese organic framework (CMT) directly grown on a Ti₃C₂T_x MXene sheet via solvothermal treatment to obtain strong oxidation resistance in an open structured application and to enhance electrocatalytic properties for oxygen evolution and reduction reaction is reported. Inspired by ligand chemistry, the carboxyl acids in tetrakis(4–carboxyphenyl)porphyrin acting as an organic linker are grafted with the surface terminators of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene through the Fischer esterification and substitution reaction of fluorine, thereby greatly enhancing the antioxidation stability. Furthermore, the as-formed metalloporphyrin structure and unpaired electrons, produced between CMT and Ti₃C₂T_x MXene during solvothermal treatment, improve their electrocatalytic activity, durability, and electrical conductivity through an electron hopping mechanism. Consequently, the CMT@MXene demonstrates high stability as a bifunctional electrocatalyst at a fixed specific capacity of 1000 mAh g⁻¹ and a current density of 500 mA g⁻¹ for 247 cycles in lithium–oxygen (Li O₂) battery. This approach suggests new strategies for the synergistic coupling of MXenes and MOFs for future open structured applications.     

Sorption and other properties of polytetrafluoroethylene/cellulose composite aerogels

Polytetrafluoroethylene/cellulose composite aerogels containing PTFE from 0 to 40 wt.% were obtained by drying the corresponding suspension mixtures at a temperature of 50°C. Cellulose isolated from the stem of Sosnowski hogweed was used as the main component of the aerogels. In present work, the composite aerogels were heated in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of 370°C to partially hydrophobize cellulose and remove surfactants that were present in the initial PTFE suspension. It was found that at this temperature, the thermal degradation of cellulose proceeded differently in the presence and absence of PTFE. The maximum water contact angle (156°) was obtained for the sample with 10 wt.% PTFE. Hydrophobized samples of aerogels were studied with the help of infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and powder x-ray diffractometry and tested as sorbents for various solvents. It was found that the volume of solvent absorbed by the aerogel, in the case of a sample with a PTFE content of 40 wt.%, can even exceed the initial volume of the absorber.