Introducing new materials with low cost and superior
solar harvesting
efficiency requires urgent attention to solve energy and environmental
challenges. Titanium carbide (Ti3C2T
x
) MXene, a 2D layered material, is a promising solution
to solve the issues of existing materials due to their promising conductivity
with low cost to function as a cocatalyst/support. On the other hand,
metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging materials due
to their high surface area and semiconducting characteristics. Therefore,
coupling them would be promising to form composites with higher solar
harvesting efficiency. Thus, the main objective of this work to disclose
recent development in Ti3C2T
x
-based MOF nanocomposites for energy conversion applications
to produce renewable fuels. MOFs can generate photoinduced electron/hole
pairs, followed by transfer of electrons to MXenes through Schottky
junctions for photoredox reactions. Currently, the principles, fundamentals,
and mechanism of photocatalytic systems with construction of Schottky
junctions are critically discussed. Then the basics of MOFs are discussed
thoroughly in terms of their physical properties, morphologies, optical
properties, and derivatives. The synthesis of Ti3C2T
x
MXenes and their composites
with the formation of surface functionals is systematically illustrated.
Next, critical discussions are conducted on design considerations
and strategies to engineer the morphology of Ti3C2T
x
MXenes and MOFs. The interfacial/heterojunction
modification strategies of Ti3C2T
x
MXenes and MOFs are then deeply discussed to understand
the roles of both materials. Following that, the applications of MXene-mediated
MOF nanotextures in view of CO2 reduction and water splitting
for solar fuel production are critically analyzed. Finally, the challenges
and a perspective toward the future research of MXene-based MOF composites
are disclosed.