Prof. Evan K. Wujcik has recently published a collaborative article in entitled “Life Cycle Assessment of Ti3C2Tx MXene Synthesis.”
Read the open access article here:
Abstract: MXenes, two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have been investigated for diverse applications since their聽discovery, however, their life cycle analysis (LCA) has not been studied. Here, we perform a 鈥渃radle to gate鈥 LCA to assess the cumulative energy demand (CED) and environmental impacts of lab-scale synthesis of Ti3C2Tx, the most researched MXene composition. We selected electromagnetic interface (EMI) shielding as it is one of MXenes’ most promising applications and compared Ti3C2Tx synthesis LCA to aluminum and copper foils, two typical EMI shielding materials. Two laboratory-scale MXene synthesis systems鈥攇ram and kilogram batches鈥攚ere examined. We investigated the CED and environmental implications of Ti3C2Tx based on its precursor production, selective etching, delamination processes, laboratory location, energy mix, and raw material type. Our results show that laboratory electricity usage for the synthesis processes accounts for > 70% of the environmental impacts. Manufacturing 1.0聽kg of industrials-scale aluminum and copper foil releases 23.0聽kg and 8.75聽kg of CO2, respectively, while 1.0 kg of lab-scale MXene synthesis released 428.10 kg. Chemical usage is less impactful than electricity, which suggests recycled resources and renewable energy can make more sustainable MXene synthesis. Understanding MXene LCA will help with the industrial-scale manufacture of this 2D material.
