One-step synthesis of nanocrystalline transition metal oxides on thin sheets of disordered graphitic carbon by oxidation of MXenes

Herein we show that heating 2D Ti3C2in air resulted in TiO2nanocrystals on thin sheets of disordered graphitic carbon structure that can handle extremely high cycling rates when tested as anodes in lithium ion batteries. Oxidation of 2D Ti3C2in either CO2or pressurized water also resulted in TiO2/C hybrid structure. Similarly, other hybrids can be produced, as we show here for Nb2O5/C from 2D Nb2C.