Unlocking potential: Recent advances in MXene supercapacitors for flexible energy storage devices

Flexible Supercapacitors (SCs) are emerging as sustainable solution to meet the growing demand of robust energy storage systems for intelligent wearable electronic gadgets (IWEGs) because of their benefits, which include high power density and quick charging/discharging. Choice of materials for the fabrication of flexible supercapacitors requires a critical understanding of material properties, mechanism of charge storage, and fabrication techniques. MXenes-a promising family of two-dimensional (2D) materials is emerging as an excellent choice for fabricating flexible electrodes for supercapacitor due to their outstanding hydrophilicity, high surface area, and high conductivity. This review unlocks the potential of this intriguing material as conductive electrodes for flexible supercapacitors. New developments in the use of MXenes and their composites, to create flexible electrodes has been discovered. This review also sheds light on material choices of electrolytes, flexible substrates, and current collectors. A critical understanding of energy storage mechanism with respect to types of ions has also been elaborated. Finally, the advances in some wearable electronic devices based on MXene flexible supercapacitors are discussed. This review highlights the potential of MXenes to offer effective and adaptable energy storage solutions that can completely transform wearable electronics.