Recent advances in MXenes: a future of nanotechnologies

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are amongst the most interesting scientific research materials in the twenty-first century. Recognizing that the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials (NMs) does not always require van der Waals (vdWs)-bound layered precursors has brought about the innovation of numerous novel NMs, including MXenes, 2D transition metal carbides (TMCs), and transition metal nitrides (TMNs), synthesized by the selective etching of layered solids. A decade after the first publication, the family of 2D MXene NMs now encompasses composition with three, five, seven, or nine atom layers that are solid or in order. The 2D MXene diverse surface terminations expand the class of 2D materials, having hundreds of metallic conductors. MXenes have adjustable characteristics with these terminations, suggesting a broad series of applications ranging from energy storage/producing devices (for example, fuel cell, supercapacitors (SCs), and batteries) and catalytic applications (such as oxygen/nitrogen/carbon-dioxide reduction reaction, hydrogen evaluation reaction, and water treatment), electronics (such as sensors, transistors, and antennas) to various classes of biomedical applications. Herein, we have given a recent evaluation of 2D MXene synthesis, properties, and novel applications. We will explain in detail about the limitations that must be overcome and identify research objectives that will increase the fundamental understanding of 2D MXene characteristics and make their hybridization with other 2D materials possible in a number of innovative emerging technologies.