3D printed MXene architectures for a plethora of smart applications

This review explores the integration of titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_x) MXene materials with three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques for advanced functional applications. Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes exhibit remarkable intrinsic properties like high surface area, metallic conductivity, and flexible surface functionalities. These materials can be associated to 3D printing techniques that offer solutions to conventional techniques’ limitations, enabling the creation of high-performance, free-standing, and multiscale devices with precise control over architecture. Additionally, 3D printing techniques are cost-effective, energy-saving, and sustainable, reducing material waste and carbon footprint. This review begins by presenting an overview of two-dimensional (2D) materials and their distinct characteristics when comparted to the MXenes family, followed by discussions on synthesis routes for 3D printable MXene inks and fabrication methods for complex MXene-based structures. Various applications of 3D-printed MXene architectures are explored, particularly in energy storage devices like supercapacitors and batteries, leveraging MXenes exceptional electrical conductivity and high surface area to enhance energy storage capabilities. Moreover, the potential of 3D-printed MXene architectures in smart devices, incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence and connectivity features, is highlighted, particularly in smart sensors, biosensors, electromagnetic shielding, and environmental remediation.