Surface Terminations and Surface Functionalization Strategies of MXenes

MXenes, a novel group of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal nitrides and carbides, have attained substantial attention in research field. The exceptional physicochemical characteristics and diverse chemical compositions of MXenes make them attractive materials for manifold applications; catalysis, energy conversion and storage, biomedicine, sensing etc. Modifications in MXenes via surface termination, surface functionalization, and interlayer engineering can colossally influence the properties of MXenes by increasing the number of electrochemical reactive sites and enhancement in the electronic structure. The surface engineering of MXene surfaces using imido group, halogen, selenium, tellurium, oxygen, sulphur etc. have shown noteworthy electronic and configurational properties. Over the last few years, various surface functionalization and termination strategies were developed to broaden the functional applications of MXenes in various fields. This chapter throws light on various surface termination and surface functionalization strategies involved in developing modified MXenes and their employment in diverse fields.