Sustainable MXenes-based membranes for highly energy-efficient separations

The ease of producing two-dimensional (2D) structure, tunable surface chemistry, and interlayer spacing of MXenes have created innumerable opportunities for researchers to prepare such novel emergent materials as energy-efficient membranes in a variety of engineering separations. In this review, various methods used for the synthesis of MXenes, their functionalization and membrane fabrication are discussed with potential examples. The engineering as well as the design of atomically thin 2D MXene membranes developed over the past decade have played a major role in high-throughput separation areas. The fascinating features of MXenes in terms of ultrathin structure, tunable interlayer distance, versatile chemistry, and appealing physiochemical properties render themselves to be developed as membranes for use in numerous applications, such as in gas separation, liquid separation, and desalination. These applications are critically discussed in this review in terms of their current challenges and future directions as effective emergent membranes in industrial separation processes.