Recent progress on MXene-based advanced nanocomposite materials for thermal radiation protection and fire safety

As a member of the two-dimensional materials’ family, MXene sheets exhibit unique structure and outstanding functional properties, garnering extensive interest in many emerging fields. Among them, the MXene derivatives with low emissivity and inorganic feature have positioned them as promising candidates for thermal camouflage and fire safety. Nevertheless, the present literature still lacks a comprehensive and comparative review focused on both the thermal radiation protection and fire safety of advanced MXene-based nanocomposite materials. This paper is dedicated to offering an overview of recent advances and progress empowering the MXene-based nanocomposites in the context of the MXene synthesis and operational principle, structural characteristics, multifunctional performance and emergent thermal radiation protection and fire safety applications. Special emphasis is placed on reviewing the thermal camouflaging (infrared stealth), flame-retardant (passive) and fire early warning (active) to understand the relationships between the material compositions, fabricating process, multi-scale structures and multiple functionalities. Finally, future challenge and direction of advanced MXene-based nanocomposites in thermal camouflage and fire safety applications are discussed and analyzed.