Advancing MXene Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Reactions: Surface, Stoichiometry, and Stability

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Conversion

Background:

• MXenes possess tunable chemistry and favorable physical properties, showing great promise for electrocatalytic energy conversion reactions.
• Further advances in MXene performance, stability, compositional discovery, and synthesis are crucial for fully realizing their potential in electrocatalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in MXene materials for electrocatalysis.
• To discuss strategies for improving MXene performance, stability, and synthesis for energy applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of surface functional and stoichiometric modifications.
• Analysis of Pourbaix stability under electrocatalytic conditions.
• Application of density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning (ML) for compositional discovery.
• Exploration of large-scale synthesis and solution processing techniques.

Main Results:

• Surface and stoichiometric modifications enhance MXene performance.
• Pourbaix stability is crucial for electrocatalytic operating conditions.
• DFT and ML accelerate the discovery of novel MXene compositions.
• Scalable synthesis and solution processing enable integrated electrode fabrication.

Conclusions:

• Recent advances in MXene material design are crucial for developing effective electrocatalysts.
• These advancements are paving the way for integrated renewable energy systems.
• MXenes are poised to play a significant role in the future of energy conversion technologies.