The Emergence of 2D MXenes Based Zn‐Ion Batteries: Recent Development and Prospects

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2022-07, Vol.18 (26), p.e2201989-n/a
• Main Authors: Javed, Muhammad Sufyan, Mateen, Abdul, Ali, Salamat, Zhang, Xiaofeng, Hussain, Iftikhar, Imran, Muhammad, Shah, Syed Shoaib Ahmad, Han, Weihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anodes; Carbon nitride; cathodes; Design modifications; Diffusion barriers; Electrical resistivity; Electrochemical analysis; Electrolytes; Energy storage; flexible ZIBs (zinc‐ion batteries); Functional groups; Interlayers; Metal carbides; Metal oxides; MXenes; MXene‐based materials; Nanotechnology; Rechargeable batteries; Specific energy; Synthesis; Transition metals; Zinc; zinc‐ion batteries
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201989

Rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) with exceptional theoretical capacity have garnered significant interest in large‐scale electrochemical energy storage devices due to their low cost, abundant material, inherent safety, high specific energy, and ecofriendly nature. Metal carbides/nitrides, known as MXenes, have emerged as a large family of 2D transition metal carbides or carbonitrides with excellent properties, e.g., high electrical conductivity, large surface functional groups (e.g., F, O, and OH), low energy barriers for the diffusion of electrolyte ions with wide interlayer spaces. After a decade of effort, significant development has been achieved in the synthesis, properties, and applications of MXenes. Thus, it has opened up various exciting opportunities to construct advanced MXene‐based nanostructures for ZIBs with excellent specific energy and power. Herein, this review summarizes the advances across multiple synthesis routes, related properties, morphological and structural characteristics, and chemistries of MXenes for ZIBs. The recent development of MXene‐based electrodes is introduced, and electrolytes for ZIBs are elucidated in detail. MXene‐based rocking chair ZIBs, strategies to enhance the performance of MXene‐based cathodes, suppress the dendrites in MXene‐based anodes, and MXene‐based flexible ZIBs are pointed out. A rational design and modification of the MXenes as well as the production of composites with metal oxides exhibits promise in solving issues and enhancing the electrochemical performance of ZIBs. Finally, the present challenges and future prospects for MXene‐based ZIBs are discussed. 2D MXenes‐based cathodes, anodes, and electrolyte materials for zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are comprehensively reviewed and compared in terms of their mechanism, cost, technical maturity, and recent development. Finally, the progress and strategies to enhance the performance of emerging 2D MXenes for ZIBs are discussed.