Synthesis and Design Strategies of MXene Used as Catalysts

Abstract

MXene have found extensive applications in various fields, including catalysis. Two predominant roles of MXene in catalysis are as catalyst carriers or as catalysts themselves. The former has received significant attention and is addressed in other publications. This review assesses MXene and its derivatives as direct catalysts, which is particularly intriguing due to its potential to reduce the design cost of catalysts. Moreover, an in‐depth discussion of this aspect aids in understanding the true role of MXene in catalysis, beyond its role as a catalyst carrier. For instance, MXene and its derivatives have been extensively employed as photocatalysts, with their catalytic activity significantly influenced by their structural characteristics. Furthermore, due to MXene's remarkable light absorption capacity, it is crucial to explore the contributions of photothermal generation or photocatalytic‐thermocatalytic synergistic effects. Additionally, MXene has demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic performance in hydrogen production. Moreover, MXene exhibits promising applications in thermal catalysis, such as dehydrogenation and oxidation. A deeper understanding of these aspects can help researchers further design MXene‐based nanomaterials, or alleviate their oxidation. Finally, we offer insights into the future research directions of MXene from our perspective. This review could provide guidance for the design of novel MXene catalysts for industrial applications.