A research group led by Prof. WU Zhongshuai from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reviewed recent progress of MXene-based nanostructures for high performance metal ion batteries (MIBs), and shared new insights on existing challenges and opportunities for designing high-performance MXene-based electrodes for various MIBs. This review was published in Advanced Functional Materials.

Schematic of MXene-based nanostructures for various MIBs (Image by DONG Yanfeng) 

MXenes, a large family of two dimensional transition metal carbides or carbonitrides, possess exceptional conductivity in the crystal core and ample functional groups (e.g., -OH, -F, -O) on their surface, low energy barriers for metal ion diffusion, and large interlayer spaces for ion intercalation. They are opening various intriguing opportunities to construct advanced MXene-based nanostructures for different-type MIBs.

However, there is still lacking of a comprehensive and timely review of MXene-based MIBs in both lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and non-lithium ion batteries through effective design principles for the construction of high-performance MXene-based electrodes.

This review summarized recent advances of MXene-based nanostructures for high-performance MIBs from LIBs to non-LIBs, in which the unique roles of MXenes as active materials, conductive substrates, and even current collectors were highlighted.

The researchers detailly clarified the loaded model, encapsulated model and sandwiched model for MXene-based hybrids with different dimensional (0D, 1D, and 2D) active materials for various MIBs. Each structural model was well exampled for different MIBs with special emphasis of synergistic effects and strong interaction interfaces between MXene and active materials.

They also discussed the existing challenges and perspectives of MXene-based nanostructures for MIBs.