Dadashi Firouzjaei Mostafa, Nemani Srinivasa Kartik, Sadrzadeh Mohtada, Wujcik Evan K, Elliott Mark, Anasori Babak
Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology and Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute (INDI), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, USA.
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA.
Adv Mater. 2023 Aug;35(31):e2300422. doi: 10.1002/adma.202300422. Epub 2023 Jun 11.
MXenes, 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have been investigated for diverse applications since their discovery; however, their life-cycle assessment (LCA) has not been studied. Here, a "cradle to gate" LCA is performed to assess the cumulative energy demand (CED) and environmental impacts of lab-scale synthesis of Ti C T , the most researched MXene composition. Electromagnetic interface (EMI) shielding is selected as it is one of MXenes' most promising applications and LCA of Ti C T synthesis is compared to aluminum and copper foils, two typical EMI-shielding materials. Two laboratory-scale MXene synthesis systems-gram and kilogram batches-are examined. The CED and environmental implications of Ti C T synthesis are investigated based on its precursor production, selective etching, delamination processes, laboratory location, energy mix, and raw material type. These results show that laboratory electricity usage for the synthesis processes accounts for >70% of the environmental impacts. Manufacturing 1.0 kg of industrial-scale aluminum and copper foil releases 23.0 kg and 8.75 kg of CO , respectively, while 1.0 kg of lab-scale MXene synthesis releases 428.10 kg. Chemical usage is less impactful than electricity, which suggests that recycled resources and renewable energy can make MXene synthesis more sustainable. Understanding MXene LCA helps the industrialization of this material.
MXenes，即二维过渡金属碳化物、氮化物和碳氮化物，自发现以来已被研究用于多种应用；然而，它们的生命周期评估（LCA）尚未得到研究。在此，进行了一项“从摇篮到大门”的生命周期评估，以评估实验室规模合成Ti₃C₂Tₓ（研究最多的MXene成分）的累积能源需求（CED）和环境影响。选择电磁干扰（EMI）屏蔽作为研究对象，因为它是MXenes最有前景的应用之一，并将Ti₃C₂Tₓ合成的生命周期评估与两种典型的EMI屏蔽材料铝箔和铜箔进行比较。研究了两个实验室规模的MXene合成系统——克级和千克级批次。基于其前驱体生产、选择性蚀刻、分层过程、实验室位置、能源组合和原材料类型，研究了Ti₃C₂Tₓ合成的CED和环境影响。这些结果表明，合成过程中的实验室电力使用占环境影响的70%以上。制造1.0千克工业规模的铝箔和铜箔分别释放23.0千克和8.75千克的CO₂，而1.0千克实验室规模的MXene合成释放428.10千克。化学物质的使用对环境的影响小于电力，这表明回收资源和可再生能源可以使MXene合成更具可持续性。了解MXene的生命周期评估有助于这种材料的工业化。
