A review of recent progress in the synthesis of 2D Ti3C2T MXenes and their multifunctional applications

In the last decade, two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides and/or nitrides identified as MXenes (Mn+1XnTx) have shown great potential owing to their unique electronic and chemical properties such as high metallic conductivity, hydrophilicity, various surface termination functional groups (Tx), and sheet-like 2D structures. Most recent years, molten salt (MS)‐Shielded Synthesis (MS3) has been prepared 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes with controllable morphology and surface termination functional groups, eco-friendly, low-cost, fast and large production for versatile applications. Furthermore, a MS etching strategy utilizing Lewis acidic salts as etchants has been proposed to prepare 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes from MAX phase. This review highlights the recent advances in synthesizing Ti3C2Tx nanosheets using the MS etching method in various fields, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), rechargeable batteries (RBs), and supercapacitors (SCs). Utilizing the MS method in the production of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets has demonstrated increased efficiency and has been implemented to increase the density and availability of active chemical and electronic sites for improved performance. Additionally, various nanostructures and hybridizations of low-cost transition metals have been fabricated. The suitability of these materials for multifarious applications has been thoroughly discussed.