Fig. 2: Experimental steps and characterization of Ti3C2Tx monolayer.
From: Elastic properties and tensile strength of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene monolayers
a The “Push-to-Pull” (PTP) nanomechanical device converts the compression on the hemispherical indenter into a tensile force on the sample under the SEM. b The enlarged view of the red area in (a) shows a Ti3C2Tx monolayer of the stretched area that has been cut into a rectangle by FIB, the orange arrows represent the tensile direction. c Cross-sectional STEM image of Ti3C2Tx monolayer observed along the fracture surface of the tested sample. Two C atomic layers (marked with purple arrows) are interwoven into three Ti-atomic layers (marked with blue arrows) in the order Ti(s)-C-Ti(c)-C-Ti(s) (Ti(s) stands for the Ti near the surface and Ti(c) for the central Ti), and the functional groups such as O and F atoms (marked with red arrows) are distributed on the surface of Ti3C2. d TEM image and crystalline SAED pattern of Ti3C2Tx monolayer.
