posted on 2019-10-11, 18:37authored byJeffrey
D. Cain, Amin Azizi, Kathleen Maleski, Babak Anasori, Emily C. Glazer, Paul Y. Kim, Yury Gogotsi, Brett A. Helms, Thomas P. Russell, Alex Zettl
The self-assembly
of nanoscale materials at the liquid–liquid
interface allows for fabrication of three-dimensionally structured
liquids with nearly arbitrary geometries and tailored electronic,
optical, and magnetic properties. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are
highly anisotropic, with thicknesses on the order of a nanometer and
lateral dimensions upward of hundreds of nanometers to micrometers.
Controlling the assembly of these materials has direct implications
for their properties and performance. We here describe the interfacial
assembly and jamming of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets at the oil–water interface. Planar,
as well as complex, programmed three-dimensional all-liquid objects
are realized. Our approach presents potential for the creation of
all-liquid 3D-printed devices for possible applications in all-liquid
electrochemical and energy storage devices and electrically active,
all-liquid fluidics that exploits the versatile structure, functionality,
and reconfigurability of liquids.