The Role of Antioxidant Structure in Mitigating Oxidation in Ti ₃ C ₂ T <i> _x </i> and Ti ₂ CT <i> _x </i> MXenes

The oxidation of 2D MXenes jeopardizes their shelf life, both in colloidal dispersions and functional devices. Certain compounds have been shown to effectively mitigate (such as sodium L-ascorbate, ascorbic acid, polyanions), but the nature interaction between these antioxidants MXene remains unknown, which impedes future selection design improved protection. This work systematically examines interactions three classes organic antioxidant candidates, α-hydroxy acids, polycarboxylic phenols with Tin+1CnTx MXenes, specifically Ti3C2Tx Ti2CTx. Interestingly, while some provide no protection for even accelerate degradation, (e.g., citric tartaric oxalic acid) protect nanosheets exceptionally well, showing minimum degradation after 14-day storage period. Analysis antioxidants’ molecular structure efficacy suggests that chelation transition metal atoms play a key role effective from oxidation.