Yury Gogotsi

2D Ti3C2 nanosheets, multilayer structures, and conical scrolls produced by room temperature exfoliation of Ti3AlC2 in HF are reported. Since Ti3AlC2 is a member of a 60+ group of layered ternary carbides and nitrides, this discovery opens a door to the synthesis of a large number of other 2D crystals.

Recently a new, large family of two-dimensional (2D) early transition metal carbides and carbonitrides, called MXenes, was discovered. MXenes are produced by selective etching of the A element from the MAX phases, which are metallically conductive, layered solids connected by strong metallic, ionic, and covalent bonds, such as Ti2 AlC, Ti3 AlC2 , and Ta4 AlC3 . MXenes -combine the metallic conductivity of transition metal carbides with the hydrophilic nature of their hydroxyl or oxygen terminated surfaces. In essence, they behave as "conductive clays". This article reviews progress-both -experimental and theoretical-on their synthesis, structure, properties, intercalation, delamination, and potential applications. MXenes are expected to be good candidates for a host of applications. They have already shown promising performance in electrochemical energy storage systems. A detailed outlook for future research on MXenes is also presented.