Advancements in MXene synthesis: Novel methods and emerging applications

MXenes have attracted considerable interest due to their hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, impressive metallic conductivity, large surface area, ease of functionalization, and active metallic hydroxide sites. These properties make them particularly well-suited for sensing, energy storage, catalysis, and environmental remediation applications. Although numerous reviews on MXenes have been widely reviewed during the past few decades, most focus narrowly on specific synthesis methods or application categories. However, these investigations often lack a holistic synthesis-application process and rarely consolidate the entire spectrum of emerging synthetic methodologies, such as in situ HF generation, sol-gel synthesis, or Lewis acid etching, which are gaining traction but remain scattered across the literature. This review addresses that gap by providing a comprehensive and integrative assessment of established and emerging synthesis techniques and diverse application areas of MXene. It further discusses key challenges, such as stability, scalability, and environmental safety, as well as outlines opportunities for advancing MXene performance in next-generation Na⁺ /K⁺-ion batteries, supercapacitors, catalysis, and pollution remediation. By combining synthesis innovations with application-oriented analysis, this work offers a unified framework to guide future MXene research and development.