Enhancing Boron Ignition Characteristics with Ti ₃ C ₂ T x MXene Additives

A wide range of strategies and additives have been examined to improve boron ignition and oxidation to realize complete utilization of boron’s high volumetric and gravimetric energy content, but two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides (MXenes) remain relatively unexplored for this purpose. Here, we examine high-quality, single-to-few layer Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets as additives in the preparation of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene/boron clusters and report enhanced oxidation and ignition of these mixtures relative to neat boron. Boron with Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene additive content as low as 1 wt % show dramatic decreases in oxidation and ignition temperatures, with the greatest improvements observed at 20 wt % Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene loading. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis show a ∼100 °C lower oxidation onset temperature, up to 25% additional mass gain, and ∼50 °C decrease in the temperature required for boron oxide removal for the 20 wt % MXene composition relative to neat boron. Morphological and compositional characterization of the 20 wt % MXene mixture using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals 100–200 μm clusters with nearly uniform distribution of the Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene and boron components. Determination of ignition temperature using heated wire ignition showed increased ignition reliability and decreased ignition temperatures for all compositions, with the 20 wt % MXene mixture showing ignition at as low as 333 °C.