MXetronics: Electronic and photonic applications of MXenes

MXenes, a large family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have been attracting great interest since the discovery of Ti3C2Tx in 2011. The unique combination of metallic conductivity and hydrophilicity in Ti3C2Tx resulted in outstanding performances in electrochemical applications. The surface of MXene is highly chemically active after selective chemical etching of their precursor phases and always forms surface terminations such as hydroxyl, oxygen, or fluorine. Those surface functional groups not only affect their hydrophilic behavior and electrochemical properties such as ion adsorption and diffusion, but also affect their electronic structure, conductivity, work function, and hence their electronic properties. In this review, the emerging electronic and photonic applications of MXenes (henceforth referred to as MXetronics) are discussed. This is a fast-emerging field of MXene research with huge potential.