Piljević, M., Ostermann, M., Marquis, E., Schwarz, S., Stöger-Pollach, M., Gogotsi, O., Valtiner, M., Rodríguez Ripoll, M., Gachot, C., & Bilotto, P. (2026). Electrochemically synthesized MXenes as sustainable solid lubricants: Mechanistic insights into tribofilm formation and interfacial dynamics. Carbon, 248, 121136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2025.121136
Highlights
• First application report on bubble-assisted sustainable EC-MXene
• EC-MXene keeps tribological performance with with mainly O-terminations
• EC-MXene forms a stable tribofilm, supported by experiments and DFT
The development of sustainable solid lubricants is critical for reducing energy losses and material wear in advanced mechanical systems. Two-dimensional materials such as MXenes are attractive for solid lubrication due to their weak interlayer bonding, enabling low-friction sliding. However, conventional MXene synthesis relies on hazardous chemicals like hydrofluoric acid, raising environmental and safety concerns that limit scalability.
Here, we report the first use of bubble-assisted electrochemically synthesized MXenes (EC-MXene) as environmentally friendly solid lubricants. EC-MXene exhibit oxygen-rich surface terminations and significantly reduced fluorine content compared to traditional MXenes. When coated on AISI 52100 steel and tested against Si3N4, Al2O3, and steel counterbodies, EC-MXene deliver excellent tribological performance, particularly against Si3N4, achieving a low and stable coefficient of friction (COF 0.25).
Surface analyses using SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, TEM (SAED and EELS), and low-energy ion scattering (LEIS) reveal a robust tribofilm and dynamic replenishment mechanism that sustains lubrication by redistributing MXene flakes from pile-up zones to the sliding interface. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirm strong interfacial adhesion of EC-MXene to ceramic surfaces, supporting the observed tribological behavior. Load-dependent studies further highlight the role of adhesion and tribofilm ordering in maintaining performance.
These findings position EC-MXene as a sustainable alternative to classical MXenes, combining comparable tribological properties with safer synthesis routes. Their characteristics establish EC-MXene as a benchmark for sustainable two-dimensional solid lubricants with broad potential in advanced mechanical and biotribological applications.
Keywords: Sustainable two-dimensional materials, Solid lubrication, MXene, Tribology, Tribofilm
We are excited to share that our Carbon-Ukraine (Y-Carbon LLC) company participated in the I2DM Summit and Expo 2025 at Khalifa University in Abu-Dhabi! Huge thanks to Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) for hosting such a high-level event.It was an incredible opportunity to meet brilliant researchers and innovators working on the next generation of 2D materials. The insights and energy from the summit will definitely drive new ideas in our own development.
Carbon-Ukraine team had the unique opportunity to visit XPANCEO - a Dubai-based deep tech startup company that is developing the first smart contact lenses with AR vision and health monitoring features, working on truly cutting-edge developments.
Our Carbon-Ukraine team (Y-Carbon LLC) are thrilled to start a new RIC2D project MX-Innovation in collaboration with Drexel University Yury Gogotsi and Khalifa University! Amazing lab tours to project collaborators from Khalifa University, great discussions, strong networking, and a wonderful platform for future collaboration.
MXenes potential applications include sensors, wound healing materials, and drug delivery systems. A recent study explored how different synthesis methods affect the safety and performance of MXenes. By comparing etching conditions and intercalation strategies, researchers discovered that fine-tuning the surface chemistry of MXenes plays a crucial role in improving biocompatibility. These results provide practical guidelines for developing safer MXenes and bring the field one step closer to real biomedical applications.
An excellent review highlighting how MXene-based sensors can help tackle one of today’s pressing environmental challenges — heavy metal contamination. Excited to see such impactful work moving the field of environmental monitoring and sensor technology forward!
Carbon-Ukraine team was truly delighted to take part in the kickoff meeting of the ATHENA Project (Advanced Digital Engineering Methods to Design MXene-based Nanocomposites for Electro-Magnetic Interference Shielding in Space), supported by NATO through the Science for Peace and Security Programme.
Exellent news, our joint patent application with Drexel University on highly porous MAX phase precursor for MXene synthesis published. Congratulations and thanks to all team involved!
Our team was very delighted to take part in International Symposium "The MXene Frontier: Transformative Nanomaterials Shaping the Future" – the largest MXene event in Europe this year! 
Last Call! Have you submitted your abstract for IEEE NAP-2025 yet? Join us at the International Symposium on "The MXene Frontier: Transformative Nanomaterials Shaping the Future" – the largest MXene-focused conference in Europe this year! Final Submission Deadline: May 15, 2025. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to showcase your research and engage with world leaders in the MXene field!
We are excited to announce the publication of latest review article on MXenes in Healthcare. This comprehensive review explores the groundbreaking role of MXenes—an emerging class of 2D materials—in revolutionizing the fields of medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR04853A.
Congratulations and thank you to our collaborators from TU Wien and CEST for very interesting work and making it published! In this work, an upscalable electrochemical MXene synthesis is presented. Yields of up to 60% electrochemical MXene (EC-MXene) with no byproducts from a single exfoliation cycle are achieved.
Congratulations to all collaborators with this interesting joint work!