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The Rise of MXenes
Book chapter

The Rise of MXenes

Yury Gogotsi and Babak Anasori
MXenes, pp 3-11
2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003306511-2

Abstract

For the past 15 years, starting with the discovery of the unique physical properties of single-layer graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials have been widely researched. This interest led to both a new wave of research on known 2D materials, such as metal dichalcogenides and boron nitride, and the discovery of many new 2D materials [1, 2]. Although many of these materials remain subjects of purely academic interest, others have jumped into the limelight due to their attractive properties, which have led to practical applications. Among the latter are carbides and nitrides of transition metals known as MXenes (pronounced "maxenes"), a fast-growing family of 2D materials. In a 2D flake of MXene, n + 1   ( n = 1 − 3 ) layers of early transition metals (M, elements in blue in Fig. 1.1) are interleaved with n layers of carbon or nitrogen (X, elements in gray in Fig. 1.1), with a general formula of M n+1X n T x . The T x in the formula represents the surface terminations, such as O, OH, F, and/or Cl (elements in orange in Fig. 1.1), which are bonded to the outer M layers [3]. Atomic schematics of three types of MXenes are shown at the bottom of Fig. 1.1a. The variety of compositions and structures of MXenes has led to the formation of a large and rapidly expanding family of 2D materials. MXenes (Fig. 1.1a), their precursor MAX phases, and intercalated metal ions in MXenes (Fig. 1.1b) serve as embodiments of the fundamental principles of chemistry, showing how the elements can be used as building blocks to form a variety of nanomaterials. To mark the 150th anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev's now-iconic periodic table of the elements, the United Nations General Assembly and UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization have proclaimed 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements [4]. The MAX and MXene compositions nicely illustrate the power of the periodic table.

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