Recent advances in Two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene for flame retardant polymer materials

MXenes, as a new family of two-dimensional nanomaterials, present great potential in varied application areas owing to their metal-like conductivity, diverse surface chemistry, solution processability, and compact multilayered structure. These fantastic properties make MXenes promising alternatives for use as nanofillers to prepare multifunctional and high-performance polymer composites. In the past few years, many researchers have studied the flame-retardant actions of MXenes in various polymer materials. Here, this review provided state-of-the-art research progress in the flame retardant composites with utilizing the neat MXenes, functionalized MXenes, and the synergistic systems based on MXenes and other components. The main sections are dedicated to the discussion on the efficiency, modification strategies, of MXenes-based flame retardants, with special emphasis on the working mechanisms for different matrices. Besides, benefiting from the intrinsic properties, most flame retardant MXenes-based composites show multiple functions, such as EMI shielding, thermal conductive, and electro-/photo-thermal conversion, thus gaining a wider application in some high-end fields. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are given by discussing the inherent defects of MXenes and ever-increasing requirements for flame retardant materials.