MXenes - Physics and Devices

MXenes are a large family of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides with more than forty different synthesized compositions and structures and a hundred more that have been investigated by computational methods with distinct electronic, physical, and (electro)chemical properties. MXene 2D sheets are made of two to five layers of transition metal atoms, interleaved with a layer of carbon or nitrogen. The surface layer transition metals are usually terminated with surface groups, such as halide and chalcogen atoms and hydroxyl groups, rendering MXenes to be hydrophilic in nature. The control of structure, compositions, and arrangement of transition metals within the MXene 2D sheets creates a large compositional space with tunable electronic, mechanical, chemical, magnetic and optical properties.

To date, all the synthesized MXenes are electrically conductive, which can be used as current collectors and interconnects. The combination of high electrical conductivity and layered structures leads to MXenes' strong interactions with electromagnetic waves and application in electromagnetic interference shielding and antennas. In addition, MXenes with semiconducting and topological insulating properties as well as tunable magnetism and ferromagnetic properties are predicted by the control of elemental chemistry and structure. This Special Topic aims to collect recent advances in electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of MXenes and their device applications.

Guest Editors: Babak Anasori, Qing Huang, Chong Min Koo, and Suelen Barg