Exploring the potential of MXenes in advanced energy, environmental, and biomedical applications

Enas M Ahmed ¹, Ahmed Shawki Ali ², Eman M Hieba ³

¹Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI) 11727 Nasr City Cairo Egypt.
²Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming Laramie WY 82071 USA.
³Chemistry and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University Giza 12613 Egypt.
⁴Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) Giza Egypt.
⁵Biophysics Group, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University Cairo 11566 Egypt.
⁶Materials Science and Nanotechnology Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University Beni-Suef 62511 Egypt.
⁷Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo Cairo 11835 Egypt.
⁸Nanomaterials Science and its Applications Program, Faculty of Science, Benha University Benha 13518 Egypt.
⁹Spectroscopy Department, Physics Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC) 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt.
¹⁰Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC) 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt.
¹¹Refractories, Ceramics, and Building materials Department, Advanced Materials Technology and Mineral Resources Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC) 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt elzwawy1@gmail.com aa.elzwawy@nrc.sci.eg Amir.Elzwawy@gu.edu.eg.
¹²Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Galala University New Galala City Suez 43511 Egypt.

⁰Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI) 11727 Nasr City Cairo Egypt.

Rsc Advances +

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November 20, 2025

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Summary

Two-dimensional MXenes offer tunable surface chemistry and conductivity, driving innovations in energy storage, catalysis, and biomedicine. Future research focuses on scalable production and surface modification for advanced applications.

Area Of Science

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Chemistry

Background

MXenes are a rapidly growing class of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides.
They possess unique properties like tunable surface chemistry and excellent electrical conductivity.
MXenes have shown promise in diverse fields including electronics, energy, and biomedicine.

Purpose Of The Study

To provide a comprehensive review of the current state of MXene research.
To discuss recent advancements in MXene synthesis and structure-property relationships.
To highlight the potential of MXenes in various applications and identify future challenges.

Main Methods

Review of recent synthesis studies, including traditional and novel approaches.
Analysis of structure-property correlations in MXenes.
Discussion of experimental evidence and theoretical foundations.

Main Results

MXenes exhibit excellent electrochemical properties, making them suitable for next-generation batteries and supercapacitors.
Their versatility extends to electrocatalysis, water purification, sensing, and biomedical engineering.
Performance is strongly correlated with surface functionality and architecture.

Conclusions

MXene research is advancing rapidly, with significant potential in energy storage and catalysis.
Scalable production, surface modification, and interdisciplinary integration are key for future high-performance applications.
Continued research is crucial to overcome challenges and fully realize the potential of MXenes.