The potential of Ti3C2TX nano-sheets (MXenes) for nanoscale solid lubrication revealed by friction force microscopy

Ti$_3$C$_2$T$_X$ nano-sheets (MXenes) are an emerging class of two-dimensional materials with outstanding potential to be employed in energy storage, catalysis, and triboelectric applications, on length scales ranging from the nano- macroscopic. Despite rapidly accelerating interest this new materials, their nanoscale frictional properties particular, for solid lubrication nanoscale, have not been explored detail yet. In short communication, we present first results characteristics MXenes, form a friction map obtained isolated Ti$_3$C$_2$T$_x$ nano-sheet deposited silicon dioxide substrate via force microscopy. Our experiments reveal that few-layer indeed act as lubricants reducing substrates, although effectively graphene. The reported here pave way further studies focusing achieved by (MXene) nano-sheets.