MXenes: Transforming advanced materials through electrochemical reduction reactions – Opportunities and challenges

In response to the mounting energy crisis and pollution issues, electrochemical technology has emerged as a key area of study for initiating cutting-edge energy generation and conversion techniques. This has prompted the investigation and use of a wide range of high-performance electrode materials. In recent years the unique layered structures, surface chemistries, and electronic properties have paved the advancement in a newly recognized two-dimensional (2D) materials termed as MXenes, which enable various electrochemical reactions and attract a lot of interest around energy conversion and storage. Very little research has focused on MXenes as a potential catalyst or catalytic support for the reduction process such as Nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), NO₃^-1 electroreduction reaction (NO₃^-1RR) and Oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) etc. This study looks at the latest findings on electrocatalysts based on MXene that have been developed for the various reduction reactions stated above. So, here we go over the latest MXene electrocatalytic reduction reactions research, paying special attention to reduction activities, and the elements that boost electrocatalytic performance. Finally, several suggestions for how to improve electrocatalytic behavior of catalysts based on MXene have also been documented.