The nano material MXene is considered a new star in battery materials, and now scientists have made the material "stronger" by using rust removal sound waves to help develop batteries with a lifespan of three times longer.





MXene is similar to high conductivity graphene, said senior researcher Leslie Yeo. However, unlike graphene, MXene is easier to customize and has a wider range of applications. At present, it is known that MXene can not only be applied in the field of batteries, but also improve the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar energy, successfully increasing the solar charge collection efficiency by 20%.





However, the disadvantage of MXene materials is that they are prone to rusting in humid environments, which affects conductivity. If rust cannot be removed, MXene batteries cannot continue to be used. Moreover, MXene film is thinner than hair, making rust removal engineering quite difficult. Although some chemical coatings can be added to prevent rust, it will also limit the use of the material.





In this regard, RMIT University in Australia has brought new hope. Scientists have found that as long as a rusty MXene film is exposed to high-frequency sound waves, the film will "shake off" the rust within a minute. After the rust disappears, MXene performance can even return to near its initial state.





The team hopes that in the future, as long as the batteries are regularly returned to the factory for sound wave treatment, their service life can be extended and they can be kept away from the garbage dump. Associate Professor Amgad Rezk stated that materials for electronic products, including batteries, typically deteriorate due to rust after two to three years of use. Through new methods, it is possible to extend the service life of battery components by three times.





The future team also looks forward to collaborating with the industry to integrate acoustic equipment into existing manufacturing systems and processes. It is also hoped that the new acoustic rust removal method can help other material rust removal projects, applied in sensors or renewable energy fields.