Recent advances in MXene nanomaterials: Fundamentals to applications in environment sector

MXenes are a new type of 2D transition metal carbon/nitride or carbonitride, which are composed of M_n+1AX_n phase material (MAX phase) through single-layer or thin-layer nanosheets obtained by exfoliation. Owning to unique two-dimensional layered structure, large specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical stability, the MXenes have quickly become a research hotspot due to their magnetic and other properties, and have been widely used in many fields such as electrochemical sensors, energy storage, catalysis, and adsorption. This article summarizes and introduces preparation methods of two-dimensional materials MXenes, and focus on reviewing their application research progress in the electrochemical sensors and environmental field in recent years, including detection of biomarkers and environmental pollutants, adsorption of heavy metals, adsorption of radiation metals, adsorption of organic matter, selective adsorption of carbon dioxide, membrane separation, sensors, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, electromagnetic absorption and shielding, etc. A summary and review were conducted, and finally the existing problems and future development at this stage were analyzed.