Tailoring Surface Chemistry of MXenes for High-Performance Energy Storage: A Pathway Toward Sustainable Electrochemical Applications

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, collectively known as MXenes, have emerged as highly versatile and conductive materials for energy storage applications. Their layered structure, hydrophilic surfaces, and excellent electrical conductivity make them ideal candidates for use in next-generation electrochemical devices. This research focuses on tailoring the surface chemistry of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes to enhance their electrochemical performance, particularly in supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. By applying controlled chemical etching, thermal treatments, and targeted surface modifications, we demonstrate improved ion diffusion pathways, higher pseudocapacitive behavior, and enhanced cyclic stability.

A series of characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were employed to correlate surface terminations (–OH, –O, –F) with electrochemical activity. Furthermore, hybrid electrode architectures combining MXenes with conductive polymers and transition metal oxides were developed to synergistically improve energy and power densities.

The findings highlight the crucial role of surface functionalization in tuning the charge storage mechanism of MXenes and demonstrate practical pathways for scalable fabrication of high-performance, sustainable electrode materials. This work offers valuable insights into the design of MXene-based nanomaterials for energy storage systems, especially for applications requiring fast charge/discharge cycles and long-term operational stability.