Fig. 4

Future applications of MXene metal and ceramic composites. a, b MXenes can be utilized as reinforcement materials in single-flake form (a) or be converted to lamellar TiC_y in metals under high-temperature applications (b). c, d Some of these high-temperature applications may require strong mechanical properties such as aircraft turbines (c) or low friction applications such as automotive engine cylinders (d). e, f MXenes’ 2D nature can be utilized to wrap ceramic grains (e) to undergo phase transformation to strong and conductive chemically bonded intergranular reinforcement materials (f). g, h The application of MXenes toward strong-intergranular bonding can provide use for MXenes as ultra-high temperature ceramic materials for aerospace re-entry cones (g) or rocket nozzles (h). In panels a, b, e, and f schematics, the size of MXene flakes versus the matrix grains are not proportional for the sake of visual clarity