Our research focuses on unlocking the potential of two-dimensional materials such as MXenes to create advanced composites with superior physical and tribological performance. These composites can be used as thin coatings to lower friction and wear, while also offering extended functionalities including corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity properties.

Illustration of spray coating on a textured surface with TEM-EDX results. A spray nozzle applies coating on a grid. Insets show substrate cross-sections labeled TiAl6V4 and AISI 304 with scale and color variations. A sphere indicates a force of 250 mN with a 1mm stroke over Ti3C2Tx material. Text emphasizes larger surface area.

© Martin Nastran

Schematic illustration of the overall idea of combining surface textures with MXene coatings generated by spray coating. Light microscopy images from laser-textured AISI 304 steel samples to represent (a and b) line-like and (c and d) cross-like patterns with a lateral periodicity of (a and c) 6 μm and (b and d) 15 μm, respectively.

A central aspect of our work is the customised synthesis of these materials. We employ wet-chemical methods, thermal conversions, and selective etching of MAX phases to produce MXenes with tailored characteristics. Through targeted chemical functionalisation with groups such as OH, O, or F as well as with polymers and other molecules, we are able to adjust the surface properties of the fillers. This fine control is crucial for optimising the interaction between MXene fillers and polymer matrices, and ultimately for influencing the tribological behaviour under frictional stress. In addition, we develop hybrid materials that integrate two-dimensional nanostructures with polymers or metallic supports, thereby extending the application range of this versatile material class.

We use a wide range of high-resolution analytical methods are used to comprehensively characterise the materials themself and tribological processes. Powder diffraction (PXRD) is used for structural analysis and provides information on crystal structure, intercalation and layer changes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to analyse the chemical composition of surfaces, particularly with regard to tribochemical reactions. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy provide information about functional groups and structural changes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enables the visualisation of topography, coating morphology and tribological traces in addition to optical microscopy, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) makes nanoscale structures, defects and particle formation visible in detail, both in the coating systems used and in the resulting abrasion and wear particles.

Current Research Focus Areas

Synthesis of multi-layer and few-layer MXenes

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MXene Termination Engineering

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Production of MXene based Composite Inks

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Manufacturing of coatings using Techniques such as (Electro-) Spray Deposition

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