MXene-Based Two-Dimensional (2D) Hybrid Materials and Their Applications Towards an Environment

MXenes have obtained noticeable interest cause of their unique features (physical and chemical features). MXenes are considered auspicious applicants considering the resolution of ecological and energy issues because of their distinctive stacked nanostructure, multiple functionalities at the surface, the excess of these compounds on earth, and their appealing optical, electrical, and thermal properties. Due to its large area, flexible chemical composition, and readily modifiable compositions of elements, MXenes need to become a viable choice to enhance photocatalytic efficiency in renewable energy and ecological treatment applications. Cause of their layered nanostructure with an abundance of functionality, they are with outstanding adjustable performance and are simple to mix with other materials, like metallic oxides, polymers, organic hybrids, and carbonaceous materials, to satisfy the demands of high-performance applications. MXenes are excellent catalysts because of their multiple interlayer groups, surface group activities, and adaptable layer spacing. The MXenes family contains more than 30 distinct members, all of which have been investigated and effectively used as catalysts. The fabrication, mechanism at the surface, and uses of MXenes with associated nanocomposites are covered in this chapter. We also discuss MXenes principles and their respective manufacturing methods, such as exfoliation delamination, HF etching, hydrothermal, polymerization, etc., to better understand. MXenes have excelled as photocatalysts for photochemical degradation, carbon dioxide reduction, hydrogen evolution, and nitrogen fixation. Moreover, surface flaws of MXenes offer lots of CO2 adsorption sites. Also, these materials’ superior 2D-nanomaterial structure and fast electron transport pathways contribute to their extremely effective oxidation reaction activity. The effectiveness of heterostructures based on MXene and their nanocomposite photocatalysts for removing organic pollutants is also thoroughly analyzed in this chapter. Lastly, a future direction for energy and ecological sciences research is suggested.