Fig.2. AFM images of MXene and
MXene/AAC 2:1 (a-c) AFM images of MXene; (d-f) AFM images of MXene/AAC
2:1
To further observe the morphology and microstructure of synthetic and
MXene and MXene/AAC 2:1, the
atomic force microscope (AFM) is employed and shown in Fig.3.
(a-f). As shown in Fig.3. (a-c),
the pure MXene flakes are curved and folded, evident of their flexible
characteristic. The pure MXene shows a densely stacked morphology with
the interlayer spacing of 17.4 nm. As shown in Fig.3. (d-f), with the
intercalation of AAC, the MXene/AAC 2:1 exhibits much increased
thickness due to their loose structure as well as the low density of the
porous carbon. The interlayer spacing of MXene/AAC 2:1 is enlarged with
a thickness of 109.8 nm, as well as the porosity of AACs which could
provide additional and faster diffusion paths for electrolyte ions
during rapid charge/discharge processes and enhances the accessibility
of MXene flakes to electrolyte ions, resulting in an improved rate
property when employed as supercapacitance electrodes.