MXenes for Energy Harvesting

Energy-harvesting modules play an increasingly important role in the development of autonomous self-powered microelectronic devices. MXenes (i.e., two-dimensional transition metal carbide/nitride) have recently emerged as promising candidates for energy applications due to their excellent electronic conductivity, large specific surface area, and tunable properties. In this review, we present a perspective on using MXenes to harvest energy from various sources in the environment. First, we systematically introduce the characteristics of MXenes that facilitate energy capturing and summarize the preparation strategies of MXenes and their derived nanostructures tailored towards such applications. Subsequently, we discuss the harvesting mechanism of different energy sources (e.g., solar energy, thermoelectric energy, triboelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, salinity gradient energy, electrokinetic energy, ultrasound energy, and humidity energy). Then we introduce the recent progress of MXene-based nanostructures in energy harvesting, as well as their applications. Finally, we present our opinions on the existing challenges and future directions of MXene-based nanostructure for energy harvesting.