Multifunctional MXene-polymer architectures for energy storage and wearable technologies

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes exhibit high electrical conductivity, redox activity, and hydrophilicity, making them promising candidates for a wide range of applications, including energy storage and wearable electronics. Particularly, they have shown remarkable progress in the development of supercapacitors and battery devices. Thanks to their rich surface terminations, the physical and chemical properties of MXenes can be effectively tuned by combining them with polymers. MXene/polymer composites mitigate the restacking of MXene sheets and enhance resistance to oxidation, leading to an enhanced structural stability and electrochemical performance. This review discusses the recent advances in the improved synthesis aspects of MXene/polymer composites and their applications in energy storage and wearable devices. It also covers the synergistic interactions between compatible MXene/polymer pairs and their performance in supercapacitors, batteries, and health monitoring wearable devices. At the end, the review highlights key challenges and discusses potential strategies for the rational design and optimization of MXene/polymer composites.