MXene catalysis
MXenes have a wide range of catalytic applications. The field is split into three main categories: electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and thermal catalysis.
Background
MXenes are two-dimensional inorganic compounds with atomically thin sheets of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. They consist of several alternating layers of early transition metals, "M," and either carbon or nitrogen, "X." Additionally, terminating groups, "T," can cover the surface of MXenes and are significant for MXene catalysis. The general formula for MXenes are Mn+1XnTx.[1]
Electrocatalysis
MXene catalysts are good candidates for electrocatalysis owing to good hydrophilicity, electrical conductivity, large surface area, and tunable properties. MXene functional groups increase electrocatalytic reaction rates by acting as sites for adsorption of numerous reactants.[2]
Water splitting
Water splitting, which consists of a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and an oxygen evolution reaction (OER), typically employs catalysts such as Pt and Ru/Ir-based noble-metal oxides. MXene catalysts, however, have been proven to be more efficient, faster kinetically, and are not as expensive or unstable.
Some oxygen-terminated MXenes have been calculated to have a Gibbs free energy of atomic hydrogen adsorption near zero, which is ideal according to the Sabatier principle. Additionally, several terminations have a negligible overpotential of 0.01 V.[2]
Nitrogen reduction reaction
As an alternative of the high energy-reliant and less sustainable Haber-Bosch process of ammonia production, MXenes have been shown to be efficient at catalyzing N2 reduction.[2]
Photocatalysis
MXenes can be used as cocatalysts to improve the quality of photocatalysis. MXenes' surface functional groups enhance reactant adsorption, and their "electron sponge" effect suppresses electron-hole recombination.[3]
Applications
MXene catalysis may be used for generating sustainable energy and carbon capture.[4]
References
- ↑ "What are MXenes?". mstar.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hamzehlouy, Ali; Soroush, Masoud (1 June 2024). "MXene-based catalysts: A review". Materials Today Catalysis. 5. doi:10.1016/j.mtcata.2024.100054. Retrieved 9 June 2026. Unknown parameter
|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Chen, Zhenfei; Meng, Zhifei; Zhang, Zhongguo; Ma, Weifang (28 September 2025). "MXene-Polymer Nanocomposites for High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Antibiotic Degradation Review: Microstructure Control, Environmental Adaptability and Future Prospects". Polymers. 17 (19): 2630. doi:10.3390/polym17192630. PMC 12527101 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 41096276 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Sun, Zhengxiang; Wang, Rui; Matulis, Vitaly Edwardovich; Vladimir, Korchak (14 March 2024). "Structure, Synthesis, and Catalytic Performance of Emerging MXene-Based Catalysts". Molecules. 29 (6): 1286. doi:10.3390/molecules29061286. PMC 10975210 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 38542922 Check|pmid=value (help).
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