Environmental applications of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides for water purification: a review

Environmental pollution requires advanced methods and materials to clean drinking water. In particular, 2D transition metal carbides, named MXenes, display unique properties such as specific surface area, surface functional groups, conductivity, and antibacterial effects. Here, we review the applications of MXenes for water purification, and the factors controlling the efficiency of MXenes. We present the history of MXenes and focus on applications for adsorption, capacitive deionization, membranes, and catalysis.