Precision Dip Coating of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene Electrodes: Uniform Films & Enhanced Charge-Transfer

Achieving reproducible, uniform MXene electrodes is critical for reliable electrochemical performance. Traditional drop-casting of Ti₃C₂Tₓ inks can lead to thickness variability and substrate non-conformity. In our recent study, we demonstrate that precision dip coating transforms MXene film quality—unlocking sharper charge-transfer signatures and consistent interfacial kinetics. Here’s how this scalable method works and why it matters for your next-generation energy devices.

Why Dip Coating Improves Film Uniformity

Switching from manual drop-casting to a controlled dip-coating protocol delivers:

  • Precise Thickness Control: Immersion and withdrawal speeds directly set wet-film height.
  • Superior Conformity: Uniform coverage on flat (FTO) and 3D (carbon paper, nickel foam) substrates.
  • Scalability & Reproducibility: Identical coatings across batches and geometries.

Dip-Coating Process Overview

  1. Substrate Preparation:
    • Clean FTO glass, carbon paper, or nickel foam in solvents (e.g., IPA, deionized water).
  2. Ink Formulation:
    • Disperse delaminated Ti₃C₂Tₓ powder in a conductive binder solution (e.g., PVDF/NMP).
  3. Dip Coating Steps:
    • Immerse: Lower substrate at a steady rate for full wetting.
    • Dwell: Hold submerged (5–10 s) to allow film formation.
    • Withdraw: Retract at controlled speed (e.g., 1–5 mm/s) to define wet thickness.
  4. Drying & Annealing:
    • Gentle heating (60–80 °C) to remove solvent without cracks.

This automated routine replaces uneven drop-casting and prepares electrodes for electrochemical testing.

Linking Film Quality to Charge-Transfer Dynamics

Employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) coupled with Distribution of Relaxation Times (DRT) analysis, we found that dip-coated MXene electrodes:

  • Exhibit Sharper DRT Peaks: Discrete processes (double-layer charging, ion diffusion, faradaic reactions) resolve cleanly.
  • Demonstrate Consistent Kinetics: Repeated measurements show minimal variability in interfacial resistance.
  • Maintain Stability: Impedance profiles remain unchanged in acidic, neutral, and basic electrolytes.

Enhanced film uniformity synchronizes electron–ion transport at the MXene–electrolyte interface, translating to predictable device behavior.

Conclusion & Next Steps
Precision dip coating of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene inks offers a reliable route to uniform, high-performance electrodes. By controlling immersion parameters and leveraging Navson’s dip-coating platforms, researchers can achieve consistent film morphology and unlock deeper mechanistic insights via EIS/DRT.

Ready to standardize your MXene electrode fabrication?

Reference
Kannathvalappila, A. et al., “Elucidating Interfacial Charge-Transfer Dynamics of Ti₃C₂Tₓ Electrodes via Advanced Distribution of Relaxation Times Analysis,” ChemRxiv (2025). https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-jc5zr

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