Tuning the Magnetic Properties of Two-Dimensional MXenes by Chemical Etching

Two-dimensional materials based on transition metal carbides have been intensively studied due to their unique properties including metallic conductivity, hydrophilicity, and structural diversity and have shown great potential in several applications. While MXenes based on magnetic transition elements show interesting magnetic properties, not much is known about the magnetic properties of titanium-based MXenes. Here, we measured magnetic properties of Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes synthesized by different chemical etching conditions. Our measurements indicate that there is a paramagnetic–antiferromagnetic (PM-AFM) phase transition, and the transition temperature depends on the synthesis procedure of MXenes. Our observation indicates that the magnetic properties of these MXenes can be tuned by the extent of chemical etching which can be beneficial for the design of MXene-based spintronic devices.