MXene‐Based Flexible Sensors: Materials, Preparation, and Applications

Abstract

The rational design and applications of MXene-based materials have yielded remarkable progress in flexible sensors, including wearable devices, soft robots, and smart medical equipment. The emerging MXene and substrate materials can be precisely engineered to improve the mechanical properties and sensing sensitivity of the sensors, opening up a wider range of application possibilities for MXene-based sensors. Therefore, a systematic and comprehensive review summarizing the progress of MXene-based sensor research based on these backgrounds is necessary. First, we discuss the basic structure of MXene materials and introduce the flexible substrate materials for MXene-based flexible sensors in detail. Then, we also discuss the different preparation methods of MXene-based sensors, describe the classifications, and highlight the applications of MXene-based flexible sensors in various scenarios. Finally, we identify the challenges that need to be overcome to accelerate the development of MXene-based materials in flexible sensing. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic insight into MXene-based flexible sensors and it is expected that this review will contribute to the development of higher performance MXene-based flexible sensors.

Advancements in MXene-based composites for electronic skins

“…Balancing the mechanical properties of MXene with the desired flexibility of the overall device requires careful selection of materials and design consideration. 58,59…”

Lightweight, superhydrophobic, lignin-based polyurethane foam composites for underwater pressure sensing

“…[1][2][3][4] As such, underwater flexible sensors play a vital role in the exploration and survey of underwater environments by detecting various signals from both anthropogenic and natural environmental sources, then converting them into electrical signals in order to ascertain various sources of underwater information. [5][6][7] Flexible pressure sensors have attracted considerable attention in recent years and have made considerable progress in terrestrial applications; [8][9][10] however, due to the huge difference between underwater and terrestrial environments, these sensors are susceptible to corrosion and degradation from various underwater environments, which have irreversible effects on sensor performance. Thus, the realization of wearable sensors for underwater sensing applications still faces many great challenges.…”

A multifunctional flexible strain sensor based on an excellent sensing performance PDMS-MXene@CNT/TPU nanofiber membrane with hydrophobic and photothermal conversion performance

“…33,34 MXenes, a two-dimensional nanosheet layered structure composed of inorganic compounds, consist of a few atomic thicknesses of transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, with a general chemical formula of M n+1 X n T x (n = 1, 2, and 3). 35,36 Here, M represents early transition metals, X denotes C or N, and T x represents a surface group typically comprising -OH, -O, -Cl, or -F. Furthermore, MXenes possess high specific surface area, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and mechanical and conductive properties similar to graphene with additional advantages of flexible and adjustable components with controlled minimum nano-layer thickness. These attributes render MXenes a suitable conductive material for the fabrication of flexible strain sensors.…”