Prospects of MXene and graphene for energy storage and conversion

Abstract

A growing family of two-dimensional materials have become exotic candidates for the development of electrodes for the applications of energy storage and conversion due to their excellent unique properties. The ongoing technological advancement emphasizes creating cost-effective, sustainable two-dimensional materials. These materials, with high density and unstable bonds, undergo restructuring for reduced surface energy. MXenes and graphene are two important two-dimensional layered materials that have grabbed the attention for the development of many applications. Due to unique properties such as electron confinement in a plane, increase in surface-to-volume ratio and removal of van-der waals interaction, two-dimensional materials play an important role in comparison with bulk materials. MXenes and graphene have exceptional conducting properties due to their nano-sheet-like structures. MXenes are mainly obtained after the exfoliation of different transition metals whereas graphene is a tightly bound hexagonal structure of carbon atoms. These materials have limitless extraordinary applications in the field of transistors, sensors, battery electrodes, supercapacitors, and photo-detectors. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of different synthesis approaches, structures, properties, ion intercalation and applications of MXenes and graphene towards energy storage and conversion. This review provides a broad and comparative analysis of MXenes and graphene and it will be extensively helpful to understand the basic properties and their usage as energy storage and conversion materials. The outcome of this review will function as a repository, enabling the expansion of research and development within the realm of energy storage and conversion applications.