Electronic properties and applications of MXenes: a theoretical review

The recent chemical exfoliation of layered MAX phase compounds to novel two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, the so-called MXenes, has brought a new opportunity to materials science and technology. This review highlights the computational attempts that have been made to understand the physics and chemistry of this very promising family of advanced two-dimensional materials, and to exploit their novel and exceptional properties for electronic and energy harvesting applications. The recent chemical exfoliation of layered MAX phase compounds to novel two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, the so-called MXenes, has brought a new opportunity to materials science and technology.