Advances in MXene-Based Electronics via Surface and Structural Redesigning and Beyond

MXenes, a prominent class of 2D materials, offer exceptional physicochemical properties, including tunable surface chemistry, high electrical conductivity, and structural versatility, making them ideal for advanced electronic, energy, and sensing applications. This review critically examines recent progress in the surface and structural engineering of MXenes, emphasizing their impact on tailoring electronic properties and enabling multifunctional device integration. Key surface modification strategies, such as termination group control, defect regulation, heteroatom doping, and oxidation tuning, are discussed in relation to their influence on the work function, conductivity, and chemical reactivity. Concurrently, structural engineering approaches, including interlayer manipulation, hierarchical assembly, and the formation of MXene-based composites and heterostructures, are analyzed for their roles in enhancing charge transport, mechanical robustness, and device adaptability. This review highlights how these synergistic modifications drive performance enhancements in field-effect transistors, photodetectors, and resistive memory devices. This work offers a cohesive framework for understanding and advancing MXene functionality by integrating insights across diverse engineering strategies. The findings aim to guide future research directions and stimulate innovation in next-generation nanoelectronics based on MXenes and related 2D materials.