Recent progress on MXenes and MOFs hybrids: Structure, synthetic strategies and catalytic water splitting

The 2D MXenes (carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides) is an emerging class of atomic layered nanomaterials that calls for intensive investigation. The tunable structures, large-surface to volume ratio, high electrical conductivity, rich surface chemistries, hydrophilicity and large redox active sites are some vital features which makes MXenes the suitable catalyst for water splitting. However, MXenes suffers from the key limitation of agglomeration, reduced long term stability and recyclability. The coupling of MXenes with metal organic frameworks (MOFs) is an effective strategy owing to the high surface area, porosity, diverse functionalities, pore-confinement effect, and tunable coordination space of MOFs provides a preferential environment for hosting MXene to prevent its agglomeration. The review aims to showcase the synergistic effects of MXenes and MOFs hybrids by exploiting the inherent features of both frameworks for water splitting application. Herein, the electronic, structural and optical properties of MXenes and MOFs frameworks are elaborated. A detailed discussion on the synthetic strategies of MXenes and MOFs hybrids explains the importance of etching technique. Lastly, variant future challenges have been highlighted to better understand the present research and progression of MXenes and MOFs hybrids. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The emerging class of 2D MXenes is suitable for water splitting as catalysts due to their tunable structures, large surface area, high electrical conductivity, rich surface chemistries, hydrophilicity, and large redox active sites. However, the agglomeration, reduced stability, and recyclability pose limitations. The coupling of MXenes with MOFs provides a preferential environment for hosting MXene to prevent agglomeration. This review showcases the synergistic effects of MXenes and MOFs hybrids and discusses their properties, synthetic strategies, and future challenges.