Exploring the advances in 2D materials as a quest for energy storage electrode materials

The increasing demand for effective energy storage solutions has spurred research into innovative materials with exceptional properties. Among these, two-dimensional (2D) materials have become popular alternatives due to their unique mechanical, chemical, and electrical characteristics. This review highlights recent advances in using 2D materials-such as graphene, MXenes, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for energy storage devices like batteries and supercapacitors. Graphene, known for its high conductivity and surface area, enhances charge storage when used as an anode. MXenes, a newer class with variable compositions, provide high capacitance for both anodes and cathodes. The large surface area and capacitance of graphene, along with the flexibility of MXenes, offer promising advantages. Additionally, combining 2D materials with carbon nanotubes and metal nanoparticles further improves storage performance. New hybrid architectures and composites that incorporate 2D materials optimise energy storage devices, increasing metrics such as energy density and cycling stability. Moreover, integrating 2D materials into flexible, wearable devices addresses the needs of portable electronics and IoT. The review links the structure, synthesis, and characterisation to the electrochemical behavior of each material and also captures recent advances in the last decade related to battery and supercapacitor applications. In addition, the review includes two tables that compare the performance of each type of material as well as an increased focus on emerging hybrid structures for next-generation energy storage systems.