Advances in MXenes synthesis and MXenes derived electrocatalysts for oxygen electrode in metal-air batteries: A review

Electrocatalysis plays an important role to achieve a sustainable energy economy. Electrocatalysts enable the generation of clean fuels and feedstock of chemicals from several resources such as CO2, water, and nitrogen by facilitating many redox reactions in conversion systems and energy storage. The lack of readily available catalysts that meet the requirements of being economical, long-lasting, and efficient is the main biggest challenge to their widespread implementation. The MXenes, 2D new materials emerging family carries a lot of potential as electrocatalysts in MABs because of their exceptional combination of hydrophilicity, higher electrical conductivities, and tunable surface properties. Introduction to metal-air batteries, synthesis methods, MXenes properties, and MXenes electrocatalytic activities applications are described in this article, including their electrocatalytic activity in OER, HER, ORR, and as a bifunctional electrocatalyst. The prospect, challenges, and methods of increasing their electrocatalytic activities in MABs are also discussed in detail.

Automated summary

Electrocatalysis is crucial for achieving a sustainable energy economy by facilitating redox reactions for the generation of clean fuels and chemicals from various resources. The widespread implementation of electrocatalysts is hindered by the lack of readily available catalysts that are economically viable, long-lasting, and efficient. MXenes, a family of emerging 2D materials, exhibit exceptional properties as electrocatalysts in metal-air batteries due to their hydrophilicity, high electrical conductivities, and tunable surface properties.