High-performance nanostructured rGO/MXene films: Synergistic design for high conductivity

• Enhanced electrical conductivity with low MXene content • Broad and unconventional thermal reduction window • High-performance materials for energy storage applications The inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources demands the development of high-efficiency energy storage systems. For these applications, high electrical conductivity is a key material requirement. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials—such as graphene and MXenes—have emerged as leading candidates due to their exceptional charge transport properties. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) offers a cost-effective alternative to pristine graphene; however, its intrinsic structural defects often compromise its electrical performance. To address this limitation, MXenes—particularly Ti₃C₂Tₓ—can be incorporated to enhance the conductivity of rGO-based composites. In this study, GO/Ti₃C₂Tₓ hybrid films were fabricated via a straightforward casting technique, employing two distinct MXene loadings (5 wt% and 50 wt%) to evaluate their influence on the material’s properties. The films were thermally reduced in a nitrogen atmosphere at three different temperatures (350°C, 500°C, and 700°C). This approach provides new insights into the interfacial stability and electrical performance of rGO/MXene hybrids under high-temperature processing. SEM, XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy data confirmed the successful integration of Ti 3 C 2 T X and rGO in the films' structure. Electrical conductivity measurements (four-point probe) revealed significant improvements: up to ∼31% enhancement with just 5 wt% MXene and a ∼59.4% enhancement at 50 wt%. The rGO/Ti 3 C 2 T x films exhibited superior conductivity compared to other carbon-based composites, a critical advantage for energy storage systems. Notably, the substantial improvement at low MXene loading (5 wt%) is particularly beneficial, as it helps offset MXenes' key limitation: low production yield.