MXenes: energy conversion and storage applications

Low-cost non-noble metal electrocatalysts are currently the focus of research and development for energy conversion and storage devices. MXenes, the newest class of two-dimensional materials, first reported in 2011, have high surface area, nanometer layer thickness, hydrophilicity and high electrical conductivity that favor their performance for electrocatalytic reactions.

We will introduce niobium carbide MXene obtained from its MAX phase by chemical synthesis and characterized regarding its morphology, structure and electrochemical activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as well as for charge storage in different electrolytic media. To further enhance its performance for use in energy storage devices, heteroatoms can be inserted to adjust the interlayer structure