A Novel Strategy of In Situ Trimerization of Cyano Groups Between the Ti3C2Tx (MXene) Interlayers for High-Energy and High-Power Sodium-Ion Capacitors

Highlights A novel N-doped strategy of C 2 N 3 − in situ trimerization between the 2D MXene interlayers was first proposed. The ultra-fast pseudocapacitive behavior of Ti 3 C 2 T x /Na 3 TCM anode was managed and verified. The as-fabricated sodium-ion capacitor delivers excellent electrochemical performance by anode/cathode mass matching. 2D MXenes are attractive for energy storage applications because of their high electronic conductivity. However, it is still highly challenging for improving the sluggish sodium (Na)-ion transport kinetics within the MXenes interlayers. Herein, a novel nitrogen-doped Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene was synthesized by introducing the in situ polymeric sodium dicyanamide (Na-dca) to tune the complex terminations and then utilized as intercalation-type pseudocapacitive anode of Na-ion capacitors (NICs). The Na-dca can intercalate into the interlayers of Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets and simultaneously form sodium tricyanomelaminate (Na 3 TCM) by the catalyst-free trimerization. The as-prepared Ti 3 C 2 T x /Na 3 TCM exhibits a high N-doping of 5.6 at.% in the form of strong Ti–N bonding and stabilized triazine ring structure. Consequently, coupling Ti 3 C 2 T x /Na 3 TCM anode with different mass of activated carbon cathodes, the asymmetric MXene//carbon NICs are assembled. It is able to deliver high energy density (97.6 Wh kg −1 ), high power output (16.5 kW kg −1 ), and excellent cycling stability (≈ 82.6% capacitance retention after 8000 cycles).