From 0D to 3D MXenes: their diverse syntheses, morphologies and applications

Abstract

MXenes are a new category of layered nanomaterials that have brought about a new multidisciplinary research area recently. Extensive theoretical and experimental investigations have revealed their immense capabilities for implementation in energy, catalysis, optoelectronics, photonics and so on due to their fascinating electrical and mechanical characteristics as well as chemical decoration and richness of elemental constitution. MXenes are mainly investigated as two-dimensional platforms in nanotechnology, but morphologies and dimensions of MXenes other than sheets have recently started gaining attention. Different dimensions are associated with a diversity of physicochemical properties as well as a broad multidisciplinary readership. This comprehensive review is aimed at classifying the different dimensionalities of MXenes (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D) while also highlighting the state-of-the-art progress on their fabrication techniques, morphologies, properties and applications. The review concludes with the non-trivial challenges as well as compelling future prospects and outlooks for the upcoming investigation of MXene materials.