Laser‐Written Ruby Emitters in MXenes: Transforming Residual Impurities Into Integrated Narrowband Luminescent Probes

Abstract MXenes, a class of 2D materials that have emerged recently, are known for their unique properties and broad applicability. They are traditionally synthesized from MAX phases by etching A‐group atoms, usually Al. Here, the controlled transformation of residual aluminum is demonstrated, as both MAX‐phase component and pervasive impurity in MXene synthesis, into a functional diagnostic asset. Through laser irradiation, Al is photooxidized in situ, forming embedded Al 2 O 3 :Cr 3 ⁺ centers with ruby line luminescence with a peak width of about 1 nm by laser irradiation of individual grains of Cr 2 AlC. The luminescence emerges due to Al oxidation with Cr doping. It is also demonstrated that the ruby luminescence is an unexpectedly universal phenomenon which occurs even in Cr‐free MAX‐phases and MXenes, owing to the incomplete Al etching and slight Cr doping of natural origin. Discovered sensitivity of ruby luminescence intensity to residual Al enables rapid, minimally destructive, and spatially resolved control of etching quality, essential for the industrial maturation of MXenes. Furthermore, the capacity to locally generate integrated optical probes opens new pathways for in operando diagnostics in MXene‐based devices.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Optical Materials
Published
2025-09-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202501407
Primary Topic
MXene and MAX Phase Materials
Type
article
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article

Laser‐Written Ruby Emitters in MXenes: Transforming Residual Impurities Into Integrated Narrowband Luminescent Probes

Valeriy M. Kondratev, Olesya O. Kapitanova, Alexey D. Bolshakov, Gleb I. Tselikov et al.
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Laser‐Written Ruby Emitters in MXenes: Transforming Residual Impurities Into Integrated Narrowband Luminescent Probes

Valeriy M. Kondratev, Olesya O. Kapitanova, Alexey D. Bolshakov, Gleb I. Tselikov, Д. С. Зимбовский, A. I. Chernov, F. M. Maksimov, Dmitry I. Yakubovsky, Aleksey V. Arsenin, Valentyn S. Volkov, Alexander V. Syuy, Ilya A. Zavidovskiy, П. В. Евдокимов, V. G. Leiman, V. Yu. Timoshenko, В. В. Бурдин, Georgy A. Ermolaev, Mikhail S. Gurin, Sergey M. Novikov, D. S. Shtarev, Andrey A. Vyshnevyy, Alexey Kuznetsov, Valery G. Yakunin
article en

Abstract

Abstract MXenes, a class of 2D materials that have emerged recently, are known for their unique properties and broad applicability. They are traditionally synthesized from MAX phases by etching A‐group atoms, usually Al. Here, the controlled transformation of residual aluminum is demonstrated, as both MAX‐phase component and pervasive impurity in MXene synthesis, into a functional diagnostic asset. Through laser irradiation, Al is photooxidized in situ, forming embedded Al 2 O 3 :Cr 3 ⁺ centers with ruby line luminescence with a peak width of about 1 nm by laser irradiation of individual grains of Cr 2 AlC. The luminescence emerges due to Al oxidation with Cr doping. It is also demonstrated that the ruby luminescence is an unexpectedly universal phenomenon which occurs even in Cr‐free MAX‐phases and MXenes, owing to the incomplete Al etching and slight Cr doping of natural origin. Discovered sensitivity of ruby luminescence intensity to residual Al enables rapid, minimally destructive, and spatially resolved control of etching quality, essential for the industrial maturation of MXenes. Furthermore, the capacity to locally generate integrated optical probes opens new pathways for in operando diagnostics in MXene‐based devices.

Advanced Optical MaterialsVol. 14(1)
University of Dubai (AE), St Petersburg University (RU), Yerevan State University (AM), Lomonosov Moscow State University (RU), Far Eastern Federal University (RU), Perm National Research Polytechnic University (RU), Shenzhen Technology University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 79%
MXene and MAX Phase Materials
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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