MXenes in tribology: Current status and perspectives

MXenes are an emerging class of new two-dimensional materials, which have been widely used in energy storage, catalysis, sensing, biology, and other fields due to their unique structure and properties. The distinct structure, low shear resistance, and easy-to-modify ability endow MXenes with particularly superior lubrication potentials. This review highlights the research status and applications of MXenes lubrication categorized into solid lubricants, lubricant additives, and reinforcement phase parts, summaries the influencing factors and lubrication mechanisms of MXenes lubrication, points out some unexplored research fields and unsettled questions, and then puts forwards possible solutions and prospects for the future research. The lubrication advances and potentials of MXenes are fully verified. Predictably, the emerging MXenes lubricants will exhibit remarkable application prospects in advanced manufacturing such as machining industries, automotive industries, micro/nanoelectromechanical systems, and spacecraft components.

Automated summary

MXenes are a new class of emerging two-dimensional materials that have been widely used in various fields due to their unique structure and properties. They have excellent lubrication potentials due to their distinctive structure, low shear resistance, and easy modification ability. This review summarizes the research status and applications of MXenes lubrication, identifies influencing factors and lubrication mechanisms, points out unexplored research areas and unsettled questions, and proposes possible solutions and prospects for future research. The lubrication advances and potentials of MXenes are fully verified, and it is expected that emerging MXenes lubricants will have remarkable application prospects in advanced manufacturing industries.