Synergistic V2CTₓ MXene–PANI Hybrid with Expanded Interlayers for Ultrastable and High-rate Pseudocapacitive Energy Storage

Author

Amideddin Nouralishahi
Maryam Sharifi Paroushi
Mansour Razavi
Amarachi Clare Nnachor
Harish Singh
Manashi Nath, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Recently, MXene-conducting polymer hybrids have emerged as promising electrode materials for sustainable energy storage applications, owing to their impressive electrochemical properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of vanadium carbide MXene nanoparticles (V2CT_x-MXene) using innovative Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technology followed by exfoliation steps. The V2CT_x nanoparticles were incorporated with PANI (MXene-PANI) by electrochemical polymerization of aniline monomers in the presence of V2CT_x nanolayers, to be used as a highly efficient material for charge storage application. PANI nanofibers form a conductive and porous architecture, which intercalates the V2CT_x nanoflakes. The resulting structure increases the interlayer spacing of V2CT_x sheets, which provides a larger accessible surface area, facilitates ion transport capability, and enhances the diffusion coefficient within the composite electrode. Benefiting from the strong interaction between V2CT_x and PANI, high electrical conductivity, and improved surface hydrophilicity, the MXene-PANI nanocomposite presented an excellent specific capacitance of 677.21 F/g, surpassing pristine PANI with 397.71 F/g. Furthermore, the MXene-PANI exhibited remarkable capacitance retention of 91.4 % after 10,000 GCD cycles. The impressive electrochemical performance of the composite electrode can also be attributed to the pseudocapacitive performance (redox behavior) of V2CT_x nanoparticles. The resulting synergy in the V2CT_ₓ MXene-PANI heterojunction significantly enhances the physicochemical properties of the hybrid, which, combined with its outstanding electrochemical performance, makes it a promising material for charge storage in supercapacitors and beyond.

Recommended Citation

A. Nouralishahi et al., "Synergistic V2CTₓ MXene–PANI Hybrid with Expanded Interlayers for Ultrastable and High-rate Pseudocapacitive Energy Storage," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 702, article no. 139031, Elsevier, Jan 2026.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139031

Department(s)

Chemistry

Publication Status

Full Text Access

Keywords and Phrases

Charge storage; MXene; Spark plasma sintering; Supercapacitors; V2CTx, polyaniline

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1095-7103; 0021-9797

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

15 Jan 2026

PubMed ID

40974906