2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, known as MXenes, were discovered in 2011 and have grown to prominence in energy storage, catalysis, electromagnetic interference shielding, wireless communications, electronic, sensors, and environmental and biomedical applications. In addition to their high electrical conductivity and electrochemically active behavior, MXenes' mechanical properties, flexibility, and strong adhesion properties play crucial roles in almost all of these growing applications. Although these properties prove to be critical in MXenes' impressive performance, the mechanical and tribological understanding of MXenes, as well as their relation to the synthesis process, is yet to be fully explored. Here, a fundamental overview of MXenes' mechanical and tribological properties is provided and the effects of MXenes' compositions, synthesis, and processing steps on these properties are discussed. Additionally, a critical perspective of the compositional control of MXenes for innovative structural, low-friction, and low-wear performance in current and upcoming applications of MXenes is provided. It is established here that the fundamental understanding of MXenes' mechanical and tribological behavior is essential for their quickly growing applications.

2D MXenes: Tunable Mechanical and Tribological Properties.

Fabrication of MXene/PEI functionalized sodium alginate aerogel and its excellent adsorption behavior for Cr(VI) and Congo Red from aqueous solution.

2-Mercaptobenzimidazole-inbuilt metal-organic-frameworks modified graphene oxide towards intelligent and excellent anti-corrosion coating

A reactive copper-organophosphate-MXene heterostructure enabled antibacterial, self-extinguishing and mechanically robust polymer nanocomposites

MXenes, transition metal carbide and nitrides with graphene-like structures, have received numerous attention since they were synthesized from MAX phases in 2011. As a rising star in 2D material family, MXenes exhibit charming physical and chemical properties. The superiority in 2D flak structure, combined with rich functional groups, endows MXenes abundant tunable performance and also makes them show unique advantages in various fields. Furthermore, the special structural and functional features also make MXenes and MXene-based materials easy to combine with polymer matrices to meet its high-performance requirements in electrical, thermal, mechanical and other fields. Now, a variety of synthetic methods of MXenes have been explored to suit different application, from hydrofluoric acid to fluorinate-containing acid solution and fluorinate-containing salts. Moreover, diverse modification methods were studied based on abundant terminations of MXene, which are also reviewed. In addition, the fabrication method and performances of MXene/polymer composites are also invested to explore the influence of MXenes on the properties of composite materials. Subsequently, the applications of MXene-based polymeric composites with different properties were also reviewed to explore their application prospects. Lastly, based on current development situation of MXenes, the challenges and prospects for the development of MXene/polymer composites are discussed. In view of the splendid performance of MXenes, obviously, it is certain that MXenes would play a vital role in polymer composites and bring considerable prospects for the development of high-performance composite materials.

MXene as emerging nanofillers for high-performance polymer composites: A review

Amino-functionalized Ti3C2Tx with anti-corrosive/wear function for waterborne epoxy coating

Ti3C2Tx/PANI composites with tunable conductivity towards anticorrosion application

In situ assemble Ti3C2Tx MXene@MgAl-LDH heterostructure towards anticorrosion and antiwear application

Insight into anticorrosion/antiwear behavior of inorganic-organic multilayer protection system composed of nitriding layer and epoxy coating with Ti3C2Tx MXene

Amino-functionalized Ti3C2Tx loading ZIF-8 nanocontainer@benzotriazole as multifunctional composite filler towards self-healing epoxy coating.

Meng Cai

Papers

Amino-functionalized Ti3C2Tx with anti-corrosive/wear function for waterborne epoxy coating

Ti3C2Tx/PANI composites with tunable conductivity towards anticorrosion application

In situ assemble Ti3C2Tx MXene@MgAl-LDH heterostructure towards anticorrosion and antiwear application

Insight into anticorrosion/antiwear behavior of inorganic-organic multilayer protection system composed of nitriding layer and epoxy coating with Ti3C2Tx MXene

Amino-functionalized Ti3C2Tx loading ZIF-8 nanocontainer@benzotriazole as multifunctional composite filler towards self-healing epoxy coating.