Science AI Journal
Materials Science · Research topic

Open research questions in MXene and MAX Phase Materials

103 gap statements mined from MXene and MAX Phase Materials papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,672 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

What the literature leaves open

  • The role of non-uniform TGO layers in regulating the thermomechanical response of APS TBCs under thermal shock is not well understood. Prior work has focused on the failure mechanisms of TBCs, but the influence of TGO structural characteristics on the thermomechanical behavior of APS TBCs is not fully investigated.

    Influence of TGO Structural Characteristics on the Thermomechanical Behavior of APS TBCs under Thermal Shock · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research can be done to explore the applications of the CSM composite membrane in various fields, - the synthesis of various ion exchange membranes using the design principle of 2D material anchoring through ionic‐cross‐linking and mixed‐dimensional assembly

    Engineered Nanochannels in MXene Heterogeneous Proton Exchange Membranes Mediated by Cellulose Nanofiber/Sodium Alginate Dual Crosslinked Networks · 2024 · DOI

  • The current state of MXene-based proton conductors lacks a general strategy for achieving stable and high-performance proton conductors. The assembly of MXene nanosheets into macroscopic stable proton conductors is challenging.

    Engineered Nanochannels in MXene Heterogeneous Proton Exchange Membranes Mediated by Cellulose Nanofiber/Sodium Alginate Dual Crosslinked Networks · 2024 · DOI

  • This review serves as a justification for further investigation into these MXene-metal–organic framework (MXOF) composites as an adsorbent, especially as an adsorbent used for low-volume and low-weight storage of gases or purification of low-concentration, high-value substances.

    Novel MXene-metal–organic framework composites as high-performance adsorbents · 2026 · DOI

  • Due to the numerous different combinations and configurations of both MXenes and MOFs, the composites have not been thoroughly investigated as adsorbents, especially with varying applications of adsorption currently in use.

    Novel MXene-metal–organic framework composites as high-performance adsorbents · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the optical properties of these highly conductive two-dimensional materials are not fully understood.

    Band-like Optical Signatures of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes · 2026 · DOI

  • Yet, the lack of standardized testing frameworks limits reliable structure toxicity correlations.

    Understanding and mitigating the toxicity of MXenes in emerging applications · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the etching pathways and phase transition are still lacking in-depth exploration.

    In Situ X-Ray Diffraction Unravels Etching Processes of Nb 2 AlC in Lewis Acidic Molten Salts · 2026 · DOI

  • Abstract Integrating MXene into polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramics offers a promising strategy to tailor their functional properties, yet the relationship between MXene content, microstructure, and performance remains unclear.

    MXene Effects on SiC Crystallization and Thermal Conductivity in Polymer-Derived SiOC Composites · 2026 · DOI

  • Prediction reliability under limited data was improved by 1000 repeated training runs and an average overfitting-rate evaluation.

    Regulation of two-layer hydrogen adsorption in Metal-doped MXenes: few-shot learning, mechanisms, and transferability · 2026 · DOI

  • MXenes are promising hydrogen-storage materials with high surface areas and tunable electronic structures, but whether single-atom doping can balance first-layer chemisorption and second-layer physisorption remains unclear.

    Regulation of two-layer hydrogen adsorption in Metal-doped MXenes: few-shot learning, mechanisms, and transferability · 2026 · DOI

  • However, their integration into silicon‐based optoelectronic devices remains relatively underexplored, despite silicon's dominance in the semiconductor industry.

    2D MXenes: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications in Silicon‐Based Optoelectronic Devices · 2025 · DOI

  • We outline that several reaction mechanisms and elementary reaction steps contribute to the formation of ammonia for Mo 2 C(0001), indicating that the conventional picture of a single rate-determining step is insufficient to describe the complex proton-coupled electron transfer steps of NRR.

    Selectivity Control in the Nitrogen Reduction Reaction over Mo2C MXene by a Nitrogen-Rich Environment · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on developing green synthesis methods, improving long-term stability, and exploring scalable production to facilitate practical deployment.

    Recent advances in MXene-based nanocomposites for photocatalytic wastewater treatment, carbon dioxide reduction, and hydrogen production: a comprehensive review · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite notable progress, challenges remain related to enhancing long-term durability, understanding degradation mechanisms, and expanding the scope of underexplored 2D materials, like MXenes, MBenes, and black phosphorus.

    Recent key engineering strategies of 2D materials in AEM water splitting applications · 2025 · DOI

  • In this work, ceramic membranes were surface-modified with vanadium carbide (V 2 C) MXene, a relatively underexplored member of the MXene family, and systematically characterized and evaluated for oil-in-water emulsion separation.

    Self-Assembled Vanadium Carbide MXene-Modified Ceramic Membranes with High Permeability for Efficient Oil-in-Water Emulsion Separation · 2025 · DOI

  • Nonthermal electrons are vital in solar energy and optoelectronics, yet their relaxation pathways are not fully understood.

    Interplay of Ultrafast Electron–Phonon and Electron–Electron Scattering in Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes: Ab Initio Quantum Dynamics · 2025 · DOI

  • However, their adoption is limited by a poor low-frequency response in planar porous electrodes, causing mismatched operating frequencies and overheating risks.

    2D-Supported Vertical MXenes for Ultrafast Filtering with Ultralow Inductance · 2025 · DOI

  • Abstract Wide-temperature applications of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are severely limited by the sluggish ion insertion/diffusion kinetics of conversion-type anodes.

    Quantum-Size FeS2 with Delocalized Electronic Regions Enable High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries Across Wide Temperatures · 2025 · DOI

  • By contrast, synthesis methodologies utilizing elemental etching agents have been rarely reported.

    Tellurium-Terminated MXene Synthesis via One-Step Tellurium Etching · 2025 · DOI

  • Our findings unveil the rich and complex structural and electronic landscape of anti-MXenes, which warrants further exploration of this class of materials.

    The Stability and Electronic Structure of Anti-MXenes · 2025 · DOI

  • Moreover, Mo TiB ’s mechanical, thermal, and structural properties have not yet been studied.

    Structural, mechanical, and thermal properties of Mo2MB2 (M = Ti, Zr and Hf) super-alloys from first-principles approach · 2025 · DOI

  • However, a broader understanding of how other MAX phases, especially those with M -elements beyond titanium and A -elements beyond aluminum, oxidize is lacking.

    Influence of the M- and A-Elements on the Oxidation Stability of Solid Solution MAX Phases V2Ga1–xGexC and Cr2Ga1–xGexC · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the essential role of oxide in their synthesis is poorly understood, which poses a challenge for discovering new M 5 AX 4 MAX phase precursors.

    Understanding the Effect of Oxygen on M 5 AX 4 Structure, Stability, and Mechanical Properties · 2025 · DOI

  • The potential application of MAX-phase materials for hydrogen storage is lacking in the literature.

    Minireview on Exploring MAX Phases for Hydrogen Energy Storage: Strategies, Development, and Future Perspectives · 2025 · DOI

Most-cited papers in MXene and MAX Phase Materials

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own MXene and MAX Phase Materials sub-topic

This page shows what the MXene and MAX Phase Materials literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, search the Research Gap Finder: the search is free with a free account and lists the papers closest to your topic first. Unlocking that topic (50 credits, charged once) fills the comparison table from our 4.5M-paper local library and writes the gaps from its rows.

Open the Research Gap Finder →

Related topics in Materials Science

Machine Learning in Materials Science
587 open questions
Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
436 open questions
2D Materials and Applications
329 open questions
Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
226 open questions
Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites
195 open questions
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
179 open questions
Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging
171 open questions
Graphene research and applications
166 open questions
103 gap statements have been mined from MXene and MAX Phase Materials papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,672 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

Tools for your next paper

Gaps & Literature SearchFind open questions in any field — 120,000+ open gaps mined from our own library.Pre-CheckIs your paper ready? Acceptance odds for top, mid and open/emerging journals, in seconds.Journal FinderA ranked shortlist of target journals from a 17,500-venue index.Duplicate Publication CheckerCheck for prior publication across 7 sources and our local library.Citation GeneratorFreeA DOI or title → APA, MLA, Vancouver, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS. No signup.Graphical Abstract MakerFreeTurn your findings into a colorblind-safe graphical abstract.

Compare the category — Honest roundups of the AI research tools, ours listed alongside the alternatives.

Command palette

Jump anywhere, run any action.