Why is MXene Better Than Graphene? A Comparative Perspective for Researchers

Why MXene Outperforms Graphene

Graphene has been an attractive two-dimensional (2D) material that researchers and industries are taking an interest in for a long time because of its superior electrical and mechanical properties. However, in recent years, a newly developed 2D material—MXene—has attracted extensive attention from both academia and industry and has rapidly become the "next generation" material that outperforms graphene in a wide range of research and applications in terms of energy storage, EMI shielding, solution processability, etc.

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In this article, we will take a close look at MXene and graphene and provide you with a detailed comparison and analysis from the structure, electrical conductivity, surface chemistry, and electrochemical performance, etc., dimensions to help you understand why MXene has a stronger application advantage than graphene in some specific aspects and fields.

What Is MXene?

MXene, as a new family of 2D materials, is composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. In MXene, its chemical formula is generally expressed as Mn+1XnTx, where M is a transition metal, usually Ti, Sc, Zr, Nb, V, Mo, Cr, etc.; X is carbon (C), nitrogen (N), or carbon-nitrogen (C-N); n is the number of layers and is usually 1, 2, or 3; Tx represents the surface functional group such as -F, -OH, -O, -Cl, etc.

1. Structural Characteristics of MXene

The most typical structural characteristics of MXene are its 2D layered structure (sheet-like), and in this layered structure, the layers are interleaved by metal layers and carbon (or nitrogen) atoms filled in octahedral positions, forming an accordion-like structure. This structural feature gives MXene a high specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry. According to the differences in structural types, MXenes are divided into ordinary MXenes (o-MXenes) and in-situ MXenes (i-MXenes), single-transition-metal, multi-transition-metal, and ordered/disordered structures, etc.

2. Common Types of MXenes

MXenes include a variety of types of materials, and the most commonly used and studied one is Ti₃C₂Tx (MXene of titanium carbide). In its chemical formula, Ti represents titanium, C is carbon, and Tx represents the surface functional groups containing -F, -OH, -O, etc. Other common MXenes include Mo₂TiC₂Tx, Nb₂CTx, Ti₂CTx, Ti₄N₃Tx, etc.

3. Synthesis Methods of MXenes

The preparation of MXenes mainly starts from selective etching of the A layer in the MAX phase (Mn+1AXn) to obtain MXene. The MAX phase is a ternary layered compound composed of a transition metal (M), a main group element (A), and carbon or nitrogen (X), as shown below.

a. Chemical Etching (HF Etching)
The most widely used method is to use chemical etching in HF/HCl solution or other chemical reagents to etch out the Al layer in Ti₃AlC₂ (MAX phase). This produces multilayer MXene (ML-MXene) Ti₃C₂Tₓ. This method has the advantages of simple operation and low cost, but the etching process uses toxic HF solution and also requires subsequent treatment of HF.

b. Alternative Green Etching Methods
To avoid secondary pollution to the environment and humans by HF, a series of alternative green etching methods have been proposed in recent years, including mild etching agents NH₄F/H₂O₂ and so on. In these methods, HF is no longer used in the process of etching, but the method can still remove the A layer and obtain MXene.

c. Mechanical Exfoliation
The multilayer MXenes can also be exfoliated into monolayer MXene by ultrasonic dispersion or mechanical exfoliation. For example, the multilayer MXene Ti₃C₂Tx (prepared by HF etching of Ti₃AlC₂) is further dispersed or ground by sonication to obtain monolayer MXene.

d. Bottom-Up Synthesis
In addition to the "top-down" MXenes synthesized by etching MAX phases, there are also "bottom-up" synthesis methods, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). The former has the advantage of "atom layer" or "molecule layer" controlled growth of MXene and atomic or molecular scale synthesis, while the latter is mainly in the experimental research stage and is not yet used in large-scale production.

MXene vs. Graphene: Performance Comparison

From the material's structure, electrical conductivity, surface chemistry and functionalization ability, processability and dispersibility, and electrochemical performance and electromagnetic shielding and microwave absorption, etc., different aspects, a comparison between MXene and graphene is made in the following figure and table. In summary, in the five aspects of electrical conductivity, surface functionalization, dispersibility, electrochemical properties, and EMI shielding, MXene outperforms graphene.

1. Electrical Conductivity

MXene shows a metallic-like conductivity that is generally higher than that of graphene. For example, the electrical conductivity of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene can reach up to 8,500 S/cm or even higher values. Graphene's conductivity is typically 6,000 S/cm, and its maximum conductivity theoretically can reach 10⁸ S/m. However, while MXene's conductivity is high, it is still generally considered inferior to graphene. For example, MXene's conductivity can be as high as 10⁴ S/cm, and some articles report conductivity as high as 15,100 S/cm, which is higher than that of graphite (10⁶ S/m). Nevertheless, this still falls short of graphene's theoretical conductivity of 10⁸ S/m. In terms of electrical conductivity, MXene has an advantage in application scenarios that require high electrical conductivity, such as electromagnetic shielding and supercapacitors.

Figure 1. Comprehensive comparative analysis of key material properties between MXene and graphene

2. Surface Chemistry & Functionalization

MXene contains abundant tunable surface functional groups such as -OH, -F, -O, and its surface can be chemically modified and easily combined with other molecules, which can be used to regulate the electrochemical performance, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility of MXene. On the contrary, graphene has a relatively inert surface, and it is generally necessary to undergo chemical modifications to functionalize graphene to make it active. The existence of surface functional groups of MXene also endows it with better dispersibility in water, so MXene is more suitable for spray preparation, printed electronics, and membrane materials, etc.

3. Processability & Dispersibility

MXene has excellent hydrophilicity and can be well dispersed in aqueous solution. On the contrary, graphene is insoluble in water or most solvents, and its dispersions tend to agglomerate, with poor dispersibility. Therefore, MXene has an advantage in application scenarios such as flexible electronic devices and electromagnetic shielding materials that require good processability and sprayability. Moreover, MXene's processability is more straightforward than that of graphene and does not require complex chemical and thermal treatments for surface functionalization.

4. Electrochemical Performance

MXene's excellent electrochemical performance is another reason for its application prospects. For example, MXene has superior electrochemical performance in the field of supercapacitors, with a higher specific capacitance than graphene, which can be attributed to its pseudocapacitive behavior and fast ion transport channels. Experimental studies have shown that MXene supercapacitors have a specific capacitance of several hundred F/cm³, much higher than traditional carbon-based materials. In addition, due to its high conductivity and specific surface area, MXene also shows great potential in energy storage and conversion.

5. EMI Shielding & Microwave Absorption

MXene also has excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and microwave absorption performance. Due to its high conductivity and layered structure, MXene can achieve good electromagnetic wave shielding through multiple reflection and interfacial charge transfer processes. For example, it was reported that a Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene film with a thickness of 6 µm can reach EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) >50 dB, and graphene materials generally have a lower SE value. In addition, it was also found that MXene foam structure could achieve EMI SE values as high as 70 dB, while graphene foams usually have a much lower value of ~25.2 dB. Due to the combination of high conductivity and lightweight, MXene has strong application potential in 5G and other microwave absorption and electromagnetic shielding materials.

Table 1 summarizes the key performance comparisons discussed above, illustrating MXene's advantages over graphene in five dimensions: electrical conductivity, surface functionalization, dispersibility, electrochemical behavior, and electromagnetic shielding.

Table 1. MXene vs Graphene Performance Comparison Table

Application-Oriented Advantages of MXene

1. Energy Storage Materials

MXene's application in the field of energy storage mainly lies in its outstanding performance as an anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries and as an electrode material for supercapacitors. With its high specific surface area, abundant surface functional groups, and excellent electrical conductivity, MXene enables efficient ion storage and transport, thereby enhancing the performance of batteries and supercapacitors.

• Anodes for Lithium/Sodium-ion Batteries: MXene serves as an excellent anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries, offering outstanding rate performance and cycling stability. For example, Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene exhibits high capacity and good cycling performance in lithium-ion batteries, with a specific capacity exceeding 300 mAh/g. Moreover, the surface functional groups on MXene can effectively suppress the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries, thereby improving battery cycle life.
• Supercapacitors: MXene demonstrates superior properties in supercapacitor applications, such as high specific capacitance, fast charge/discharge capability, and long cycle life. Studies show that MXene-based supercapacitors can achieve specific capacitances over 500 F/g and exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility and chemical stability. In addition, because of its 3D stacked structure, and microchannel confinement, under pressure, there is a "deformation space" between MXene stacked layers, which can also be utilized for multifunctional sensing functions.

Figure 2. Application-specific MXene properties for supercapacitors

2. Sensors and Biomedical Applications

MXene's application in sensors and biomedicine is mainly attributed to its good conductivity, biocompatibility, and highly active surface chemistry. MXene can be used for the preparation of flexible sensors, biosensors, and gas sensors, etc., which provide high sensitivity, wide linear range, and wearability.

• Flexible sensors: MXene can be used to prepare flexible sensors, which due to their high sensitivity and excellent mechanical properties, are suitable for physiological motion monitoring and electronic skin (E-skin) applications. For example, a fully textile-based piezoresistive sensor composed of MXene/PVDF has a sensitivity as high as 1970.65 kPa⁻¹, and response/recovery time of 10/20 ms, and cycle stability to 10,000 cycles.
• Biosensors: In terms of biosensors, with its good biocompatibility and nontoxicity, MXene can be used as a building block for the preparation of biosensors. For example, a flexible mediator-free biosensor constructed by Nafion/Hb/MXene-Ti₃C₂Tₓ/GCE can be used to detect NO₂ and H₂O₂ with high sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, because MXene has strong absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region, MXene also shows application potential in photothermal therapy and drug delivery.

3. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Materials

MXene is also suitable for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials due to its excellent electrical conductivity and EMI shielding performance. With high conductivity and tunable interlayer spacing, MXene can effectively absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves and provide EMI shielding.

• EMI shielding performance: MXene-based composites have been found to have excellent EMI shielding performance. For example, it has been reported that MXene/polyimide aerogels exhibit shielding effectiveness above 40 dB. Similarly, MXene foams and MXene/carbon nanotube hybrid aerogels also demonstrate excellent EMI shielding performance.

Figure 3. Ultrathin, flexible and oxidation-resistant MXene/graphene porous films for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding

• Multifunctionality: In addition to EMI shielding, MXene materials can also be combined with other materials for multifunctional application purposes. For example, the combination of MXene and cellulose nanofiber can prepare a composite paper, which, in addition to having excellent EMI shielding performance, also has good breathability and biocompatibility.

4. Flexible and Wearable Devices

MXene's application in flexible and wearable electronics is due to its excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. MXene can be used to prepare flexible electrodes, sensors, and batteries and is a suitable material for wearable electronic devices and smart health monitoring systems.

• Flexible Electrodes: Thanks to its excellent flexibility and conductivity, MXene can be used to fabricate flexible electrodes. MXene films can be used as flexible electrodes for both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, and the resulting electrodes exhibit excellent electrochemical performance.
• Flexible Sensors: MXene-based flexible sensors have high sensitivity and excellent mechanical properties and are suitable for wearable devices and health monitoring systems. For example, fiber-based piezoresistive sensors made from MXene possess excellent flexibility and biocompatibility and are thus suitable for physiological motion monitoring in the human body.

Challenges and Future Directions

1. Current Issues (Oxidation Stability and Mass Production Difficulties)

MXene, as a new type of two-dimensional material, has shown broad application potential in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing, etc. In these fields, MXene exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, good thermal stability, and mechanical strength. However, in practical applications, there are also some issues that need to be considered before it can be used. The primary issues are related to its oxidation stability and difficulty in mass production.

• The oxidation stability of MXene is one of the critical issues for MXene material. MXene has a strong tendency to be oxidized in air, which leads to performance degradation in the material. This will be a problem for many applications such as gas sensing and electrocatalysis, where oxidation will lead to the deterioration of long-term stability and service life. The oxidation mainly occurs at the MXene edges and surface, and the surface functional groups (-F, -OH, -O) of MXene have a significant influence on performance. Therefore, it is essential to develop an effective passivation strategy to improve MXene's oxidation stability. Such methods can include surface modification by organic/inorganic ligands, or the use of antioxidants (ascorbic acid and citric acid, etc.)
• In addition, another issue limiting the large-scale application of MXenes is the difficulty in mass production. At present, the majority of MXene synthesis methods are only at the laboratory scale, including HF etching of MAX phases, ultrasonic treatment, etc. These methods are expensive, time-consuming, and cannot be easily scaled up. In addition, the self-assembly process of MXene is complex, and the batch difference between products is relatively large, which affects the reproducibility and stability of the MXene material, thus limiting its use in industrial applications. Therefore, one of the future research directions is to develop simple, efficient, and scalable synthesis methods, including the use of inkjet printing and roll-to-roll manufacturing, etc.

2. Comparison with Graphene's Resolved Scale-Up Challenges

Compared with MXene, graphene has made some breakthroughs in large-scale production. Although the cost of graphene production is still relatively high, some cheaper and efficient methods have been developed, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and liquid-phase exfoliation. These methods make it possible for the graphene material to be produced in certain scales. In addition, the methods for surface functionalization and structure tuning of graphene have also been relatively mature, making it possible to better control the properties of the graphene material and apply it to more fields.

However, compared with graphene, the large-scale production of MXene is still in the early stage. Although there are many synthesis routes for MXene, the cost of raw materials is still high, and the processes and equipment are still complex and expensive. In addition, due to the more complex surface chemistry of MXene, which is related to different functional groups such as -F, -OH, -O, etc., the surface modification and functionalization of MXene are more difficult. Thus, further breakthroughs are still needed in the synthesis process, cost control, and stability of material performance for the large-scale production of MXene.

3. MXene's Development Potential and Research Trends

MXenes still have a very promising future in some specific applications. On the one hand, due to its excellent performance, MXene can be widely used in energy storage, electrocatalysis, gas sensing, flexible electronics, etc. In particular, it has been found that MXene-based heterostructures have high sensitivity and fast response for gas sensing, which has very important application value in environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnosis. In the future, the research trend will mainly focus on the following aspects:

• Large-area fabrication: To promote the commercialization of MXenes, the development of scalable synthesis methods will be the main research focus. For example, some scalable manufacturing methods, such as inkjet printing and roll-to-roll manufacturing, can be used to prepare large-area and low-cost MXene films. In addition, MXene has excellent solution processability, which is also very suitable for complex substrates used in flexible and wearable electronics.
• Heterostructure engineering: Constructing MXene heterostructures with other materials (polymers, metal oxides, carbon materials, etc.) will be an effective approach to enhance the performance of the material. For example, the selectivity and sensitivity of MXene sensors can be improved by loading selective receptors, functional polymers, or molecularly imprinted layers. In addition, the fabrication of MXene-graphene or MXene-MXene heterostructures can also optimize the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of the material.
• Improving oxidation stability: In terms of stability, the surface modification, passivation strategy, and introduction of antioxidants can be used to improve the oxidation resistance of MXene. For example, modifying the surface with organic/inorganic ligands can effectively prevent the oxidation of MXene edges and prolong the service life. In addition, controlling the storage conditions, including temperature, pH, and atmosphere, also plays an important role in maintaining the stability of MXene.
• Electrocatalytic performance optimization: MXenes also have great potential in electrocatalysis, especially in energy conversion and storage. The structural design of layered structure and surface chemistry of MXenes can be tuned to improve catalytic activity and stability. In the future, the research may focus more on the application of MXene in electrocatalytic processes such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and its potential in sustainable energy systems will be further explored.

Conclusion

While graphene has been foundational in the early history of 2D materials, MXene has clearly outperformed and proved to be more practical than graphene in many applications of interest, ranging from energy storage to EMI shielding to flexible electronics.

As synthesis, stability, and functional structure design continue to be improved, MXene will slowly overtake graphene in both research and engineering, to become another cornerstone of 2D materials.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is MXene more conductive than graphene?

Yes. While graphene has been hyped as a material with very high conductivity, the performance in practice often falls short. On the other hand, MXenes like Ti₃C₂Tx has been experimentally measured to have a conductivity higher than 10,000 S/cm, which is much more than enough for most applications and much higher than can be realized with graphene.

2. Why is MXene a better material for energy storage?

The pseudocapacitive mechanism of MXenes, together with their fast ion diffusion pathways and tunable interlayer spacing, leads to very much improved capacitance and charge/discharge rate, compared to graphene.

3. Is MXene better than graphene for all purposes?

Not necessarily. Graphene is still superior in some very specific applications like optical transparency and ultra-high-speed electron transport. However, MXene is better for most if not all other applications, including electrochemistry, flexible electronics, electromagnetic shielding, and much more.

References

1. Vaghef-Koodehi, Arash. "MXene-Based Double-Layer Side-Illuminated Photodetector: A Theoretical Investigation with Comparative Analysis to Graphene-Based Devices." (2025).
2. NK, Pavithra Siddu, Sang Mun Jeong, and Chandra Sekhar Rout. "MXene–carbon based hybrid materials for supercapacitor applications." Energy Advances 3.2 (2024): 341-365.
3. Tang, Xinwei, et al. "Ultrathin, flexible, and oxidation-resistant MXene/graphene porous films for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding." Nano Research 16.1 (2023): 1755-1763.

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