MXenes: New Horizons in Catalysis

Two-dimensional transition-metal carbides and nitrides, known as MXenes, have garnered increasing attention for nearly a decade by virtue of their versatile composition and structure, stability under certain conditions of interest in (electro)catalysis, and numerous appealing properties. Given the abundance of their components, large surface area and high laboratory-scale activities, MXenes are promising catalysts and supports for several heterogeneous catalytic and electrocatalytic reactions. This Perspective briefly summarizes the most relevant (electro)catalytic processes where MXenes hold promise as competitive alternatives to traditional Pt-group catalysts. We discuss how the interplay of metal elements with carbon, nitrogen, and various surface terminations modulates the catalytic activity of MXenes. In particular, we analyze the connection between experimental and simulated MXene structures and discuss the differences with bulk carbide extended surfaces. The great advances in synthesis routes and upscaling, in combination with realistic computational models, may give MXenes a leading role in the current quest for efficient catalytic processes.