MXene: Pioneering 2D Materials

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials such as graphene and chalcogenides have been appealing candidates for their desired applications owing to their demonstrated intriguing properties. Besides these 2D materials, discovering new types of 2D materials such as MXene aids in broadening the flatland research. MXenes with general formula M_n+1X_nT_x are a relatively new class of emerging materials discovered a decade back (since 2011) and are 2D transitional carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides based materials. From its discovery, MXene becomes popular owing to its unique physicochemical properties and diverse chemistries. Several different types of MXenes and their combinations with other materials have been discovered using computational and experimental methods. Due to their compositional versatility, 2D gallery spaces, ordered structures, controlled surface chemistry, etc. these materials (MXene and its composition) are found to be suitable materials for various applications, including but not limited to energy storage, catalysis, optoelectronics, smart textiles, antennas, and electromagnetic interference shielding. In this chapter, a brief introduction to the evolution of MXene and a glimpse into its field of applications have been emphasized.