Revolutionizing energy storage: the emergence of MOF/MXene composites as promising supercapacitors

Abstract

As the world becomes increasingly concerned with environmental preservation and the effects of fossil fuel consumption, it is essential to find new and innovative ways of providing energy. Supercapacitors are among the most promising devices for energy storage. Finding materials that can enhance their efficiency is still a major challenge. Research is currently underway to fabricate composite materials with specific properties that can improve the performance of supercapacitors. One class of materials that has shown great promise is MXenes, which are two-dimensional layers of carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides of transition metals. These materials possess unique features such as high electrical conductivity, flexibility, and hydrophilic surfaces, which make them suitable for a range of electrochemical applications. Adding MXenes to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or MOF derivatives has been shown to enhance the output yield of supercapacitors. MOFs are widely used in various energy systems because of their adjustable porosity and high surface area. The addition of MXenes can prevent the stacking of MXene sheets on top of each other, leading to improved results due to the synergistic effect. In particular, MOF/MXene composites have shown significant promise for use in supercapacitor applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in MOF/MXene composites, including their synthesis, properties, and potential applications. We also highlight the challenges and opportunities for future research in this field.