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Invited viewpoint: pathways to low-cost MXene synthesis

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Abstract

MXenes, a class of two-dimensional material with exceptional properties, have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in various industries. However, the high production costs associated with MXene synthesis present a substantial barrier to its widespread use. The synthesis methods, risk factors, environmental factors, and most importantly, expensive precursors create a barrier to MXene applications. Numerous review articles on MXene materials have been published. However, this review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of potential ways to reduce the cost of these potential materials, which indicates the novelty of this work. The current article aims to provide a review of the synthesis method, risk factors, environmental factors, and, most importantly, how to convert recycled materials as precursors into MXenes and enhance the cost-effectiveness of MXene production. This review found that modified acid etching is the most convenient route for MXene synthesis, preserving the MXene properties while being concerned with risks and environmental factors. Recycled materials (e.g., tires, aluminum scrap, biochar, and activated carbon) can be used to synthesize high-quality MXenes by fine-tuning their contents. We propose a comprehensive approach to reduce the cost of MXenes. This article includes technical challenges and future recommendations for further research on this topic.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Sunway University and the School of Engineering, particularly the Research Center for Nanomaterials and Energy Technology, for their generous funding support provided through the project FRTIN-PRO-57-2022.

Funding

The funding for this project is provided by Sunway University through the Research Center for Nanomaterials and Energy Technology, specifically through the project FRTIN-PRO-57-2022.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Nanomaterials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

    M. A. Zaed, K. H. Tan, R. Saidur, N. Abdullah & A. K. Pandey

  2. Sunway Materials Smart Science and Engineering (SMS2E) Cluster, Sunway University, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    R. Saidur & N. Abdullah

  3. Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK

    R. Saidur

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  1. M. A. Zaed
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  2. K. H. Tan
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  3. R. Saidur
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  4. N. Abdullah
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  5. A. K. Pandey
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Contributions

MA. Zaed was instrumental in developing the core conceptual ideas, contributing significantly to the research design, implementation, result analysis, and manuscript writing. KH. Tan completed the design and execution of the models, along with the data analysis. R. Saidur played a key role in planning, supervising the work, and designing the figures. N. Abdullah was resolving technical details and conducting numerical calculations. AK. Pandey do the final correction (manuscript) and supervising the work.

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Correspondence to M. A. Zaed.

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Zaed, M.A., Tan, K.H., Saidur, R. et al. Invited viewpoint: pathways to low-cost MXene synthesis. J Mater Sci 59, 7575–7594 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09666-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09666-6

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