25th Anniversary Article: MXenes: A New Family of Two‐Dimensional Materials
Michael Naguiba b, Vadym N. Mochalina b, Michel W. Barsouma b, Yury G. Gogotsia b✉
- aDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering and A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute Drexel University Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
- bDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering and A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104 USA
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Recently a new, large family of two-dimensional (2D) early transition metal carbides and carbonitrides, called MXenes, was discovered. MXenes are produced by selective etching of the A element from the MAX phases, which are metallically conductive, layered solids connected by strong metallic, ionic, and covalent bonds, such as Ti2 AlC, Ti3 AlC2 , and Ta4 AlC3 . MXenes -combine the metallic conductivity of transition metal carbides with the hydrophilic nature of their hydroxyl or oxygen terminated surfaces. In essence, they behave as "conductive clays". This article reviews progress-both -experimental and theoretical-on their synthesis, structure, properties, intercalation, delamination, and potential applications. MXenes are expected to be good candidates for a host of applications. They have already shown promising performance in electrochemical energy storage systems. A detailed outlook for future research on MXenes is also presented.