MXene/carbon composites for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Due to their excellent electrical conductivity and water processibility, MXenes have been widely used as an important promoter to boost the electrochemical capability of many energy storage and conversion materials. Carbon materials represent one of the most prevalent components to combine with MXenes for improved electrochemical performance. The key merits of carbon materials for this purpose are their wide tunability and diverse processing options. In this review, the latest progress in this rising field, namely controllable fabrication of MXene/carbon composites for electrochemical energy storage and conversion, has been summarized. First, the emerging technologies for hybridizing MXenes and carbons, either by directly using carbon materials or the precursors requiring post-conversion, have been organized. Then their usage for lithium storage, sodium storage, lithium-sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysis has been discussed with focused attention on the structure-performance relationship where the indispensable role of MXenes for the enhanced electrochemical signatures has been highlighted. Based on a detailed analysis of the related developments, the prospects and challenges of MXene/carbon composites have been proposed to conclude this review.