Our collaborative work on porous Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase for efficient Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene synthesis has been ranked among the Top 10 most cited papers in the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology (IJACT). This recognition is not just about citation numbers — it reflects the real impact, quality, and performance of the materials we develop.
We would like to congratulate all co-authors on this achievement and thank our collaborators from Carbon-Ukraine (Y-Carbon LLC), Drexel Nanomaterials Institute (USA), Materials Research Centre for their contribution to this work.
MXenes are among the most intensively studied classes of two-dimensional materials worldwide due to their structural diversity and outstanding properties, enabling a wide range of applications from energy storage to electronics and sensing. Despite this rapid progress, the synthesis of MAX phases — the precursors for MXenes — has largely remained unchanged and has not been optimized for MXene production.
In this study, we rethought this conventional approach and developed a porous Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase specifically tailored for efficient MXene synthesis. The material exhibits a highly porous structure of approximately 70%, which allows it to be easily ground into individual grains manually, eliminating the need for time-consuming drilling and intensive ball-milling steps typically required in standard processes.
A key advantage of this method is the use of low-cost titanium sponge instead of expensive fine titanium powders. At the same time, MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ) produced from this porous MAX phase demonstrates improved properties, including larger flake size and higher electrical conductivity in thin films compared to materials obtained via conventional routes.
Beyond process optimization, the work provides important insights into the mechanisms of reaction sintering and the formation of porous MAX phases. Importantly, the proposed approach is not limited to Ti₃AlC₂ and can be extended to the synthesis of other MAX phases, opening new pathways for scalable and more efficient MXene production.
At MRC and Carbon-Ukraine / Y-Carbon LLC, we are not just contributing to the MXene field — we are actively shaping its future through materials innovation.
KEYWORDS: MAX phases, MXenes, porous ceramics, reaction sintering, synthesis
Read More: Roslyk I, Baginskiy I, Zahorodna V, Gogotsi O, Ippolito S, Gogotsi Y. Porous Ti3AlC2 MAX phase enables efficient synthesis of Ti3C2Tx MXene. Int J Appl Ceram Technol. 2024; 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.14671
We highly recommend checking out new important paper: “Critical Assessment of Intrinsic Antibacterial Properties and Photothermal Therapy Potential of MXene Nanosheets.” Along with the key findings, we’re also excited to share the Supplementary Cover Art — it beautifully illustrates our vision of MXene-based targeted complexes that can eliminate bacteria via photothermal conversion under near-infrared irradiation.
Do MXene nanosheets possess intrinsic antibacterial activity? A systematic study of high-quality Ti-, V-, and Nb-based MXenes reveals negligible inherent antimicrobial effects while highlighting their strong potential for targeted photothermal antibacterial therapy.
Highlights
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!