Recent advances in modification strategies of MXene-based catalysts for high-performance Li-O₂ and Li-CO₂ batteries

As ideal alternatives to conventional battery systems, lithium‑oxygen (LOBs) and lithium‑carbon‑oxygen (LCBs) batteries have attracted considerable interest due to their outstanding energy density and eco-friendliness. Yet, their advancement is greatly hindered by sluggish reaction kinetics, demanding the development of novel, high-efficiency catalysts. Emerging MXene-based materials, characterized by multiple active sites and metal-like electrical conductivity, exhibit unique advantages in these advanced energy storage and catalytic systems. Last decade has significant progress on MXene-based materials for LOBs and LCBs, from initial theoretical prediction models to material design. Noting that modification strategy is of paramount importance to determine the performance and application of MXene-based electrode materials, it is necessary to systematically analyze the working mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and performance metrics of different modification approaches for these batteries, while there is currently a lack of review with such intention. Therefore, present review highlights the critical role of modification strategy for MXene-based electrode, by providing a comprehensive overview of modified principles, performance evaluation, as well as the comparison of similarities and differences for two categories of “intrinsic design” and “composite materials”. Finally, a forward-looking perspective and challenges, including but not limited on safety, stability, and commercialization of MXene electrode by different modified approaches are offered.