Preparation of Mo2CTx MXene with high specific surface area by etching of acetic acid/acetate solution

• A mild and safe organic acid etching method using acetic acid/acetate solution was developed for synthesizing Mo2CTx MXene, replacing hazardous HF-based etching. • The resulting Mo2CTx nanosheets exhibit acetate termination and high specific surface areas of 18.1 m²/g (NaAc+HAc) and 14.1 m²/g (KAc+HAc), far exceeding conventional methods. • As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, it delivers a specific capacity of 108 mA·h/g at 100 mA/g after 100 cycles, outperforming HF-etched Mo2CTx. • This work provides a scalable, environmentally friendly route to high-performance MXenes with enhanced energy-storage potential.