Authors: Mihrimah Ozkan | T. Truong | S.K. Pathak | Li-Ren Liu | Frédéric Dubreuil | Pushkar Suke
Source: MRS Energy & Sustainability (article, 2025-04-03)
Field: Materials Science — Materials Chemistry

Scaling up for carbon capture with robust and stable MXenes for sustainability Abstract As climate change intensifies, the quest for innovative solutions becomes more urgent. This paper examines the potential of MXenes, a new class of two-dimensional materials, for carbon capture. It begins by assessing the current carbon capture technologies and their limitations, which has catalyzed the exploration of novel materials. The paper then delves into the distinctive properties of MXenes, highlighting their remarkable CO2 adsorption capabilities, which stem from their vast surface area and customizable surface functionalities. However, realizing the practical benefits of MXenes requires addressing several challenges related to their scalability, durability, and stability, crucial for real-world application. This paper thoroughly evaluates various synthesis methods, analyzing their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. It also explores strategies to enhance MXene durability in environmental applications, ensuring robust performance in realistic conditions. Furthermore, the paper considers the essential aspects of production scale-up and the economic ramifications therein. It provides a comparative analysis with current materials, illuminating the potential cost benefits and trade-offs of MXene use. Ultimately, the paper highlights the critical need for multidisciplinary research collaborations and substantial funding to fully exploit MXenes’ capabilities in combating climate change and fostering a sustainable future. Graphical abstract Highlights This review explored the potential of MXenes, a new class of materials, for capturing carbon dioxide to help combat climate change. It reviewed the limitations of current carbon capture methods, examined MXenes' ability to trap CO₂, and assessed challenges like scalability, durability, and cost. The study also compared MXenes to existing materials and highlighted the need for further research and collaboration to make them a practical solution for reducing carbon emissions. Discussion The potential of MXenes for carbon capture raises important questions at the intersection of energy, sustainability, policy, and economics. While these materials offer promising CO₂ adsorption capabilities, their large-scale production remains costly and energy-intensive. Should governments prioritize funding for emerging materials like MXenes, or should efforts focus on optimizing existing, more affordable solutions? Additionally, the environmental impact of MXene synthesis is not yet fully understood—does the benefit of carbon capture outweigh the potential ecological costs of manufacturing? Beyond technical feasibility, equitable access to green technologies is a pressing concern. If MXenes prove effective, will their adoption be limited to wealthier nations, or can international cooperation ensure global accessibility? Addressing these issues requires multidisciplinary collaboration across materials science, governmental policy, and economic frameworks to develop scalable, sustainable solutions for climate change mitigation. MXenes ; Sustainability ; Scaling ; Carbon fibers ; Environmental science ; Astrobiology ; Computer science ; Materials science ; Nanotechnology ; Physics ; Ecology ; Mathematics ; Biology MXene and MAX Phase Materials ; Graphene research and applications ; 2D Materials and Applications