Chemical functionalization (covalent and non-covalent) of 2D materials is considered as a interesting approach to further expand the scope of application. In case of MXenes too various functionalizing strategies are currently being explored. For e.g. covalently functionalized MXene has exhibited improved stability against oxidation, as well as emergence of superconductivity at low temperatures was also observed. Similarly amido and imido functionalized MXene´s exhibited optical interaction between the linker organic molecule as well as Ti3C2 core resulting in observation of Fano resonance peaks in the recorded IR spectra.

Hence focused fundamental investigations are required to explain the unusual properties of the functionalzied MXenes. In this regards through project RADIUM I will try to perform the ultrafast THz spectroscopy on these materials to understand the impact of functionalization on intrinsic charge transport behavior.  

Spectroscopic measurements at low frequencies (0.5 - 3 THz) are ideal for probing the behavior of free charges in different functional materials. This information obtained i.e. the complex refractive index can be used to extract the complex conductivity. Then by using a suitable physical model (for e.g. Drude, Drude Smith etc.) to fit the real and imaginary part of the complex conductivity different parameters such as carrier scattering time, diffusion coefficient etc. can be evaluated.

In the scope of the project I aim to use THz spectrscopy measurements performed under the steady state condition as well as visible pump and THz probe to perform the time resolved measurements.