Chapter 1 - Introduction to 2D MXenes: fundamental aspects, MAX phases and MXene derivatives, current challenges, and future prospects

Abstract

MXenes (transition metal carbides and nitrides/carbonitrides) are a novel type of two-dimensional (2D) materials that are derived from MAX-phase precursors. Their structural and compositional diversity, outstanding electrical conductivity, and tunable surface properties have made MXenes one of the best and most versatile families of 2D materials, with rapidly growing fields of application. Since their inception, MXenes have attracted enormous research interest in various research fields, including physics, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, nanomedicine, and environmental science. This chapter briefly introduces fundamental aspects of MXenes such as MAX-phase precursors, MXene derivatives, and methods of synthesis and processing. Various MXene properties such as electronic, optical, magnetic, and mechanical properties are then briefly discussed. The next section briefly describes the current advances of MXene-based composites in various application fields. Finally, the chapter highlights the current challenges and research prospects for the development of MXene-based advanced composite materials for specific applications.