Beyond Van der Waals: The Rise of Hydrogen-Bonded MXene Superlattices

Revolutionizing Superlattice Engineering

Artificial superlattices represent one of materials science’s most promising frontiers, where periodic arrangements of two-dimensional atomic layers create properties unattainable in conventional materials. Traditionally, these structures have relied on van der Waals (vdW) forces—weak interactions between layers in materials like graphite and transition metal sulfides. While vdW superlattices have demonstrated remarkable phenomena including superconductivity and correlated insulating states, their development has been constrained by limited material sources and weak interfacial coupling. Now, a groundbreaking approach using non-vdW materials is opening new possibilities for advanced electronic and energy applications.

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The Limitations of Conventional Superlattices

Current superlattice technology primarily falls into two categories: moiré superlattices and heterostructure superlattices. Moiré structures, created by stacking layers with slight rotational mismatches, have revealed extraordinary quantum behaviors. Heterostructure superlattices, built from alternating atomic layers, exhibit tailored electrical and magnetic properties. However, both approaches face significant manufacturing challenges. The layer-by-layer assembly methods—whether through mechanical exfoliation or chemical vapor deposition—suffer from limited yield and reproducibility. Even advanced techniques like molecular beam epitaxy struggle with the constrained availability of suitable vdW materials and the inherent weakness of vdW interactions at layer interfaces., as comprehensive coverage

MXenes: A New Platform for Superlattice Design

The discovery of MXenes, two-dimensional carbides and carbonitrides derived from MAX phases, has dramatically expanded the toolkit for materials engineers. Unlike traditional vdW materials, MXenes feature stronger chemical bonding within layers and can be functionalized with various surface groups. What makes MXenes particularly promising for superlattice applications is their compatibility with hydrogen bonding between layers, creating interfacial interactions orders of magnitude stronger than vdW forces. This fundamental difference in interlayer chemistry enables the creation of more stable and electronically coupled structures., according to technological advances

The Stiffness-Mediated Rolling-Up Strategy

Researchers have developed an innovative manufacturing approach that transforms multilayer MXenes into precisely controlled superlattices through a stiffness-mediated rolling-up process. The method begins with carefully engineered MXene precursors containing transition metal vacancies that reduce the material’s bending stiffness. When introduced to specialized exfoliation agents like tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide—selected for their bulky size and low surface tension—the MXene layers rapidly delaminate and spontaneously roll up into one-dimensional structures., according to technology insights

This process achieves remarkable efficiency, with approximately 96% of the multilayer MXene transforming into ordered scrolls within 0.3 seconds. The resulting structures exhibit excellent monodispersity in aqueous suspension and consistent dimensions, with diameters ranging from 20-100 nm and length-to-diameter ratios of 10-50. Most importantly, each scroll maintains a constant interlayer spacing of about 1.14 nm, creating the periodic arrangement essential for superlattice behavior., according to industry news

Non-vdW Moiré Superlattices with Enhanced Properties

The MXene roll-ups spontaneously form moiré superlattices with unique structural characteristics. Unlike conventional cylindrical scrolls, these structures feature small included angles between their edges (0.1° to 8.2°), creating the rotational mismatches that generate moiré patterns. Electron diffraction confirms the presence of twisted hexagonal lattices with consistent twist angles throughout each scroll., according to technology insights

The crucial distinction from traditional moiré superlattices lies in the interlayer chemistry. While vdW superlattices have no dangling bonds between layers, the MXene superlattices contain abundant surface terminations (-OH and =O groups) that form extensive hydrogen bonding networks. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms these strong interfacial interactions, which fundamentally change the electronic coupling between layers.

Superior Electronic Characteristics

The hydrogen-bonded MXene superlattices demonstrate enhanced electronic properties that surpass their vdW counterparts. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy reveals increased electronic density at the Fermi level, indicating improved electronic coupling capacity. Density functional theory calculations further show that the moiré potential in these structures creates interlayer conduction channels that facilitate electron transport.

This combination of strong interfacial coupling and moiré periodicity creates a materials platform with exceptional potential for electronic applications. The research team has successfully applied their stiffness-mediated strategy to produce 17 different MXene roll-ups based on vanadium, titanium, niobium, and tantalum carbides and carbonitrides, establishing a rich library of materials with tunable compositions and crystal structures.

Future Applications and Implications

The development of non-vdW superlattices marks a significant advancement in materials design with far-reaching implications:

• Advanced Electronics: The enhanced electronic coupling and tailored conduction channels could enable higher-performance transistors, sensors, and quantum devices
• Energy Storage: The combination of high surface area, tunable interlayer spacing, and improved conductivity makes these materials promising for next-generation batteries and supercapacitors
• Catalysis: The exposed active sites and modifiable surface chemistry offer opportunities for designing efficient catalysts
• Fundamental Research: The platform enables systematic exploration of how hydrogen bonding and moiré periodicity influence material properties

As research progresses, these hydrogen-bonded MXene superlattices may overcome the limitations that have constrained vdW-based systems, opening new pathways for designing materials with precisely engineered quantum behaviors and electronic characteristics. The ability to create strong interfacial coupling while maintaining the rich physics of moiré superlattices represents a significant step toward practical applications of two-dimensional materials in advanced technologies.

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