Functionalized interfaces in MXOF: Bridging high-performance energy storage and pollutant degradation

Today, there is a significant flow in the scientific community about nanomaterials, leading to comprehensive research and the discovery of their diverse range of applications. In the area of two- and three-dimensional nanocomposites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MXenes have emerged as the most dominant class of nanomaterials, having unbeatable potential in different research territories or dimensions. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in MOFs due to their large surface area, large pore size aperture, and physiochemical, and tunable properties. Therefore, these properties make it a novel material in the research domain. Similarly, MXenes have been growing as a novel material due to their 2D layered structures, making them a promising newcomer within the empire of 2D nanocomposites. The hybridization of MOFs with functional layered MXene materials, forming MXOF composites, has emerged as a dominant class of nanomaterials with significant potential in energy storage and environmental remediation. However, a systematic and comprehensive review of the interface and surface engineering of MXOF composites remains lacking. In this focused review, we discuss various critical aspects, including the surface chemistry of these materials, synthesis approaches, and the physicochemical properties of both MXenes and MOFs. We also explore factors that influence the chemistry of these materials and the role of secondary building units in designing MXOF composites. Next, we delve into the role of interface and surface engineering in MXOF catalysts, highlighting how these modifications enhance their catalytic properties, and the key parameters involved in optimizing their performance. Finally, we present a summary of future research directions, outlining both the challenges and opportunities within the field of MXOF materials for environmental remediation.