MXenes in Photocatalysis: Emerging 2D Nanomaterials as Co-Catalysts, Heterojunction Engineering and Photothermal Enhancement

MXenes are emerging 2D nanomaterials with unique electronic, thermal, plasmonic and surface properties that make them promising components in advanced photocatalytic systems. Their high electron mobility and tunable surface chemistry enables efficient charge transport and the formation of heterojunctions with semiconductors, improving charge separation and photocatalytic performance. MXenes were initially used in photocatalysis as cocatalysts replacing noble metals in hydrogen evolution, but their high charge mobility and strong photothermal conversion opens promising opportunities for these materials form heterojunctions and in photothermal catalysis. Despite challenges related to oxidative stability, compositional and surface engineering strategies may expand their applicability. Overall, MXenes represent a versatile platform for photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, with potential contributions to solar-driven chemical processes at large scale.