Convergence Research Seminar Series: Babak Anasori, PhD (Indiana University-Purdue University)

Abstract: 

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, known as MXenes, have grown in the past decade from a newly discovered material to a large family of 2D materials. MXenes have a wide array of material properties, including solution-processability and hydrophilicity (surfactant-free nanoinks), high electrical conductivity and 2D stiffness, functionalized surfaces, and chemical and structural tunability. MXenes have been extensively studied for applications in energy storage, catalysis, sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, and biomedical applications. More specifically, MXenes’ environmental applications have emerged as a rapidly growing area. In this talk, I will provide an overview of MXenes, with a focus on the recent developments in the synthesis and understanding of their structures and properties. I will discuss some of the promising applications of MXenes, including conductive inks and electrodes for electrocatalysis and membrane and separation technologies.

Bio: 

Dr. Babak Anasori is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering at Indiana University-Purdue University. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Graphene and 2D Materials, a Springer-Nature journal. Dr. Anasori received his PhD at Drexel University in 2014, the birthplace of MXenes. He has more than 170 refereed publications on MXenes and their precursors, and he is among the Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. He is also 7th on the 2022 list of Rising Stars of Science in the USA by Research.com. He has received several international awards, including the 2016 Materials Research Society (MRS) Postdoctoral Award, the 2021 Drexel University 40-under-40, the 2021 WIN Rising Star Award in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and the 2023 IUPUI Employee Supervisor of the Year. Dr. Anasori’s research lab works on developing novel 2D carbide and carbonitride MXenes for various applications, including energy generation, electromagnetic interference shielding, and ultra-high temperature ceramics.