J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 222: 111-141.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.09.044

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Engineering of 2D MXene-derived nanocomposites for environment-related interdisciplinary applications

Zhenxi Yuana, Weirui Chenb, Laisheng Lia,c,d, Jing Wanga,c,d,*   

  1. aSchool of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China;
    bSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China;
    cMOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China;
    dGuangdong Provincial Key Lab of Functional Materials for Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510006, China
  • Received:2024-06-27 Revised:2024-09-26 Accepted:2024-09-27 Published:2025-07-01 Online:2024-10-24
  • Contact: * E-mail address: jing.wang@m.scnu.edu.cn (J. Wang).

Abstract: There is a booming scientific research community looking into two-dimensional (2D) MXenes with superior physical and chemical characteristics that are potentially applicable in many fields. However, compared to energy conversion and storage, their applications in environment remediation have received much less attention. Hence, this review summarizes recent progresses of 2D MXenes and their derivates adopted for interdisciplinary applications with a focus on environment-related areas, aiming at promoting the diversity of MXenes and providing a refreshing background. Firstly, the properties including excellent electrical conductivity (as high as 15,100 S cm-1), large surface area (100-1,000 m2 g-1), tunable surface chemistry (-O, -OH or -F terminal groups), photothermal conversion (∼100% light-to-heat efficiency) as well as kinetic and thermodynamic stability of 2D MXenes are briefly introduced. The engineering strategies of MXene-derived nanocomposites through the construction of heterostructures, metal/non-metal doping, the introduction of vacancies, strain engineering, and computation modelling are then followed. Finally, we emphasize current advances achieved in versatile applications including metal ions adsorption, photocatalytic organics degradation and CO2 reduction, solar water desalination, oil/water separation, and gas sensing, where engineering strategies, mechanisms, and performances of different 2D MXene derivates are discussed. It is envisioned that 2D MXenes will become one of the prominent nanomaterials effective for diverse applications in the years to come.

Key words: 2D MXene, Photocatalysis, Environmental remediation, CO2 reduction