On the horizon of greener pathways to travel into a greener future portal: Green MXenes, environment-friendly synthesis, and their innovative applications

It has been determined that the exceptional characteristics of MXenes are of great interest in a variety of newly developed applications. MXenes, on the other hand, have a number of drawbacks, the most significant of which is that their general manufacturing in large-scale production requires the use of ecologically hazardous and poisonous compounds, as well as a solid-state reaction at high temperature, which is then followed by selective etching. In this regard, the manner in which MXenes are manufactured is critical to determining their final applications. Thus, it is very necessary to develop strategic ways to synthesize MXenes that are safer, greener, more ecologically friendly, and more sustainable in order to put them on the market at a competitive price. It is very necessary to assemble, review, and synthesize the most recent advancements in the green-related innovation of MXenes since there are a rising number of publications on green synthesis involving technological advances and non-toxic substances. Replacing traditional synthesis methods with green MXenes, physically based rapid generation of MAX phases, molten salt process for the green synthesis of MAX phases, nanoparticulate MAX phase based on the sol-gel process, HF etchant replacement with safer chemicals, electrochemical exfoliation, and nanobioagents can result in more environmentally friendly, efficient, and safer MXenes for future environmental, biomedicine, energy saving, catalysis, and sensors. Our primary focus is on the core synthetic procedure, the mechanism, and the overall benefits, with a particular emphasis on the MXene features that have been passed down from these green synthesis approaches. The growing uses green MXenes in the fields of environmental remediation, energy conversion and storage, and biomedicine are discussed in this article. In conclusion, the remaining obstacles and potential benefits of more environmentally friendly MXene production are reviewed.